Students of all ages can be overwhelmed by the daunting task of navigating their way in the unfamiliar surroundings of a new school. There are new faces, new classmates, new teachers, new classes and new principals. How do these new kids and their parents find their way to a successful transition and lay the groundwork for academic and social success? With help and support from their school communities.
Fortunately, many Atlanta area private schools offer dedicated resources and support to make new students feel comfortable, easing parental minds and calming jitters for the children. KnowAtlanta Magazine asked about local schools about new student programming that can make all the difference for youngsters facing this exciting—and sometimes nerve-wracking—adventure. Here’s what metro families can expect.
Walking into an unfamiliar place can be quite intimidating for new students. Today’s school administrators and staff members understand that and recognize that every school offers its own unique challenges to new students. This is particularly true in metro Atlanta, where so many schools have their own distinctive learning environments, and new students of all ages have to take time to adjust to their surroundings.
For instance, young children entering a new school environment can face developmental and emotional challenges, and that often begins when parents or caregivers drop off their new student, who must face that initial separation, says Sheree Du Preez, early elementary division head at Trinity School in Atlanta. “It takes time for children to feel safe and secure in a new classroom environment, and teachers work intentionally to ease that transition. Just as important is learning the daily routines, such as circle time, snack, playground, rest and classroom transitions,” she says, adding that consistency and predictability provide comfort.
Both are also very important for new students at Marist School in Brookhaven, who must get comfortable finding their classes and figuring out how long it takes to get to each one on the school’s relatively large campus, according to Brian Freel, director of campus ministry. “The rotating schedule takes a few days to adjust to, but once they walk through it a few times, it becomes second nature,” he says. The academic rigor also takes some getting used to, but it’s a chance for students to discover their capabilities. “Since homework is part of the nightly routine and most students are involved in extracurriculars, learning to manage time effectively is important,” Freel says. “These can be big adjustments—especially for students coming from smaller schools.”
For some students at The Walker School in Marietta, a rotating schedule is a new concept, but they quickly see the advantages of having classes meet at different times of the day. “Students say that having a different class meet before lunch each day helps create deeper and wider social connections throughout the year,” says Katherine Harrison, director of admission. “Navigating a new, larger campus and changing buildings for classes like science and PE can also be overwhelming at first, but it is also exciting for many students.”
Other schools, such as Springmont School, offer a completely different experience. New students at this Sandy Springs school may be surprised at the more relaxed environment, which includes no formal homework until middle school and more freedoms, says Andrea Restifo, director of admission. She says, “Sometimes it takes students a few days or weeks to become accustomed to things
simultaneously learning the unique culture of the school. According to Laura McKie, director of enrollment and strategic communications, “This is why the first few weeks of school at High Meadows focus largely around helping students feel secure, establishing belonging and community while laying the foundation for academic success.”
Being the new kid in school doesn’t have to last a long time when administrators, teachers and established students work hard to help new students find their place in the school community. This kind of effort is seen throughout metro Atlanta’s private schools.
Galloway in Atlanta goes to great lengths to ensure that students feel welcomed, included and celebrated in its close knit community as quickly as possible. “One of our greatest strengths is that every child is known and recognized as an individual by our faculty and staff,” says Natalie Pitchford, director of marketing and communications. Galloway’s early learning program focuses on students spending significant time on classroom routines and activities to allow them to acclimate and get to know each other. Fifth through 12th graders participate in an advisory (a small group where they build connections), engage in social-emotional learning, play games and seek support from their advisor.
What’s more, once students are enrolled at Galloway, new families are invited to a spring family picnic during which parent ambassadors help new families connect with other families in their grade. “They are also matched up with buddy families who help them get connected between enrollment and the start of school,” Pitchford says. “New families meet socially with their buddy family over the summer and utilize them as a resource when they have questions about how things work. Our parent association also hosts back-to-school gatherings before school starts to allow the kids to come to campus and play together so they’ve already established some new friendships before they walk into their classrooms on the first day of school.”
Other schools offer similar gathering opportunities. High Meadows’ 42-acre campus features a barnyard, gardens, meadows and woods, which serve as the perfect backdrop for students to get to know each other. “During back-to-school activities, students get to swim in the outdoor pool, visit the animals, participate in team-building challenges and take campus outings to learn how to safely and respectfully navigate our expansive and nature-filled campus,” McKie says.
The Walker School also hosts informal get-togethers, including splash pad gatherings and popsicle parties for the youngest students and bowling nights and Sky Zone outings for middle school students. Students also can connect and build classroom communities at the beginning of the school year. “The Middle School celebrates a schoolwide field day during the first week of school says. “In the Upper School, the entire ninth grade participates in an off-campus retreat led by upperclassmen that serves as an introduction to their high school experience.”
New families at Trinity School are paired with host families whose children share the same grade and similar interests throughout the summer. Families are encouraged to enroll students in Trinity summer camps, in which they can familiarize themselves with the school, teachers and students, making the first day of school less daunting. “We have a collaborative culture, and our students are asked to work in partner pairs, so they can work alongside new peers and classmates daily,” says Lauren Darden, director of admissions. “This is a great way for new students to get to know others throughout a more structured time.”
New students at The Wood Acres School in Marietta meet classmates through the school’s Book Buddies and Peer Mentors programs, according to Nicole Hankamer, enrollment and marketing director. And Marist’s peer leader program trains 11th and 12th grade students to welcome new students into the community as well; they meet in May at the War Eagle Welcome and connect with new students individually, in small groups and through larger events over the summer and into the first months of school. Additionally, ninth grade students attend Camp 3790, a one-day off-campus retreat designed to help build relationships.
Every fifth- through 12th-grade student at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw begins the year with a fall retreat, either an overnight camp (for seventh through 12th) or for the day (for fifth and sixth), during which they experience high-energy games, worship, outdoor adventures, small group challenges, deep talks, prayer times, special speakers and more. “By the end of the week, no student feels ‘new’ anymore. Everyone feels connected,” says Beth Wright, director of admissions. And in addition to students having a chance to connect at an event with pizza, games and time to socialize as the school year begins, NCCS hosts Middle School Academy, a weeklong orientation designed to ease the transition. “Students meet teachers, learn routines, make friends and get comfortable with expectations, all while lowering the stress of the first day,” says Brandon Ewing, middle school principal.
Mount Paran Christian School, also located in Kennesaw, hosts many events prior to the start of the school year as well. “A parent ambassador is assigned to each new family, and they keep families informed of events, plan small grade level gatherings and become a familiar face on campus,” says Kate Henderson, family engagement coordinator. “MPCS on-boarding events begin in the spring with connection time with teachers and administrators, a cookout, a consignment sale to ease the financial burden of school uniforms, division-level orientations and mentoring initiatives for our high school students.”
While on-campus support is vital for new students, many schools also offer suggestions for parents to help their children prepare for their academic transition right at home.
According to Pitchford, “ parents can support their child’s transition by sharing their own positive school experiences, exploring Galloway’s social media pages to see classroom and campus life, learning about Galloway’s traditions and validating their child’s feelings throughout the adjustment period.”
At High Meadows, parents are encouraged to visit the school together as a family and interact with other families during those visits, talking through feelings like nervousness. McKie notes, “Parents can encourage their children to look at their new educational chapter as an adventure where they get to meet new people and see new things; this helps students frame the new experience for themselves.”
Marist parents can take advantage of campus ministry, counseling, advisors, peer leaders and more, which assists students in making the right connections. “Many of our teachers, coaches and moderators want to hear directly from students, and parents can be supportive by helping students learn how to communicate, self-advocate and reach out when they need help,” says Katherine Bain Carroll, peer leader moderator and associate director of the Marist Academic Center.
Restifo reveals that Springmont encourages parents to ask their children questions about their classmates, what work they’ve chosen during the day or who they sat with at lunch as they converse after school. She says, “Dinner time discussions and prompts are helpful: ‘What is something good that happened to you today?’ ‘Did you help someone today?’”
At North Cobb Christian, parents can encourage their children to attend social events. “If your child is interested in sports, parents should strongly encourage participation in a fall sport,” says Megan Strange, upper school principal. “Those groups typically start practicing over the summer, and that is, by far, the easiest way to get to know people and to start building community.”
Parents of Trinity students can help their young students by establishing a “calm, predictable routine” at home with regular bedtimes, morning rituals and consistent drop-offs, which gives children a needed sense of security, according to Du Preez. “Talking positively about their new school, teachers, and friends also helps build excitement and reduce anxiety.” Darden adds, “If their child is going through an adjustment period, I would encourage parents to empathize with their child that change can be hard, but it is temporary. Finally, after the first couple of weeks, I would encourage parents to reach out to their child’s teacher to see if they have any tips or suggestions based on what they have seen at school.”
According to Hankamer, parents of Wood Acres students receive similar advice. She says, “On a daily basis, maintain a consistent routine in the mornings to set your student up for success. Ensure your student is on time for class every day with all of their belongings.” Furthermore, those parents also have the opportunity to become part of the community themselves through the New Family Coffee at the beginning of the year and bi-monthly Zoom calls with administrative staff that keep parents abreast of upcoming events, such as Constitution Day, the fall science festival and the spring walk fun run.
As new students navigate the process of starting and becoming a true part of their new school community, administrators, staff, teachers and parents are right there walking beside them to pave the way for success. When everyone works together, the new student experience can be transformed from something a bit scary into something truly exciting. And metro Atlanta private schools can’t wait to help kids of all ages find their feet and hit the ground running.
For more information, visit:
Galloway
High Meadows School
Marist School
Mount Paran Christian School
North Cobb Christian School
Springmont School
Trinity School
The Walker School
Wood Acres School
