Help Your Child Transition To A College Prep High School

A college education can benefit your child in myriad ways. Their college diploma can open doors for them in the professional world, and the networking they do in university can serve them well for the rest of their lives. In order to get into a good college, your child needs to succeed in high school. A college prep school will ready your child for the challenges of university life. If your child has attended public school thus far, making the change to a college prep high school may be a challenge. Here are four things you can do to help ease their transition.

Discuss the transition with your child.

High school students are at an age where they're becoming more independent. At this stage, your child is old enough to have thoughts, dreams, and opinions about their future. Have a frank conversation with them about the reason you want them to switch schools. Let them know how the change will benefit them and shape their future, but also listen to any concerns they may have. Making your child feel heard can help the adjustment feel easier.

Visit the school ahead of time.

Some college prep high schools feature open house days where prospective students and parents can walk around the school grounds and meet some of the teachers. This is a good way to get your child excited about their new school. It's much easier for children to get attached to a school when it's a concrete place in their minds, as opposed to a nebulous concept that they've only heard about from parents.

Find your child a tutor.

If your child is having a hard time absorbing the material at school, they may benefit from additional tutoring. Some college prep schools offer tutoring services performed by other students or faculty members. Find out if your child's new school offers such a program. If tutoring isn't available through the school, you can find private tutors who are willing to aid your child. Find a tutor that specializes in the specific subjects that are giving your child trouble.

Encourage your child to get involved in extracurricular activities.

Extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports are a big part of high school life. College prep high schools offer many clubs that can interest students with diverse interests. Encourage your child to get involved in these activities. It can help your child meet friends and become integrated with school life. These activities will also look fantastic on your child's college application.

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