Offering multiple orientation opportunities is one of the key ways to make the transition smoother, according to Paxton, whose school has implemented several intentional supports for incoming 6th graders throughout the school year.
Mountain Vista Community School offers a “6th Grade Sneak Peek” day in the spring, a “Rise Up Rams” program on the last day of school, and multiple check-in days over the summer for families before the 6th-grade orientation on the first day of school.
These create opportunities for students and families to tour the building, meet their future teachers and learn about the school’s academic and athletic programming.