8th Graders: How Do You Prepare for High School Over the Summer? Top 7 Tips from your Admissions Guru
Transitioning from middle school into high school can be both exciting and frightening at the same time. You will have new opportunities for a variety of extracurricular activities, driving to school, elective classes, Homecoming and Prom, trips, community involvement, and so much more!
So how can you prepare now for a successful and joyful high school experience?
- Make a List of Extracurricular Activities to Try
Freshman year is a great time to try out new things! Even if you’re not sure that you will like something, try it out and see. You will make new friends in the process.- Athletics: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swim & Dive, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Wrestling, Bowling, Crew, Lacrosse, & Intramural Volleyball
- Activities: Art Club, Video Game Club, Bowling Club, CANstruction, DECA (Marketing/Business Club), German Club, Helping Hands Service Club, HOSA (Future Health Professionals), Latin Club, Spanish Club, Pro-Life Group, Student Council, Students for Social Change, and Tutoring: Kids for Tomorrow
- Fine Arts: Choir: Chamber Singers, A Cappella, Bella Voce, Men’s & Women’s Choir; Drama: 5 productions a year. Opportunities for performers and stage crew (lighting, sets, props, and sound); Band: Marching Band/Color Guard, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Praise Band, Pep Band & String Orchestra
- Trips: CLHS/Madrid Homestay Exchange, GAPP (German-American Partnership Program), Latin Trip, and Art Trip
- JROTC: Crew Team, Drill Teams, Rifle Team, JLab (Academic Team), Snap Squad, Robotics, Raiders, & Outdoor Adventure Team
- Get Involved Over the Summer
The following extracurriculars meet during the summer- Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Volleyball, and Marching Band/Color Guard. Click here for a list of CLHS coaches and their contact information. Feel free to contact them for their summer schedules. Make sure you get your sports physical by July 31 for Fall sports. Click here for the Athletic Participation Form.
- Sign up for a Mentor
Our EPIC (Empowering and Preparing Incoming Cadets) program provides freshmen with a mentor and a supportive environment that fosters a smooth transition to CLHS. This is a free program which hosts 3 fun events over the summer. Click here to register for a mentor.
- Get to Know the Campus
Oftentimes, CLHS is much bigger than the middle school you attended, so make sure that you come to a Registration Day with your parents (July 30 & 31 from 2-7:00 pm and August 6 from 1-7:00 pm) and get to know the campus. You will be given your class schedule, books, and locker that day. This is a great opportunity to figure out where your classes are located and get you feeling more comfortable with navigating the campus. Freshman Orientation will be held on August 15 from 8:00am – noon which will give you another chance to familiarize yourself with CLHS.
- Buy Your School Supplies
You will need a TI84 calculator and your choice of an Apple device, either iPad or Macbook or Chromebook. Click here to see list of devices.
On the first day, you will learn what school supplies you will need for each class, but it is a great idea to come with a pen and paper for taking notes.
- Don’t Forget to Read!
Our English department encourages student reading over the summer to hone your academic skills and for you to explore areas of interests. If you are taking Honors English this fall, please look for a letter in your mailbox in a few weeks that will include information on your required summer reading.
- Order your uniform shirts by July 30 to ensure that you will get them in time for the first day of school. Click here for online order form and dress code information.
Our Admissions Team is here to help! I am in the office over the summer so please call me with any questions at (260) 483-1102, ext. 298.
Shine On,
Dawn Schuller,
Director of Admissions & Retention