Starting eighth grade feels like the future is almost here. High school is no longer just something older kids talk about; it’s coming soon. This year is my last year in middle school, and it’s the chance to grow and get ready for the big jump ahead.
Pflugerville ISD’s summer closing day is May 22nd. With summer right around the corner, there’s plenty of excitement amongst students.
“Yes I’m very excited,” eighth grade student Addison Schaefer said. “Probably swimming, hanging out with my friends, probably going to Typhoon a lot, and really enjoying my summer.”
With high school on the horizon, there are many aspects for the current eighth graders to think about such as grades, a bigger campus, and schedule changes.
“Yes, I’m actually going to have to study and take notes and I’m just not used to it,”eighth grader Nolan Light said. “I’m not really scared about a bigger campus, I think it will be better with a bigger campus.”
High school is a thought that most people think is negative. People also can think that High School is a positive to look forward to. Even with opposite viewpoints in both ways, I feel like high school is going to be fun. But I am definitely nervous about going.
“I’m excited for high school,” eighth grader Cooper King said. “ I’m excited for the sports in high school and all my friends that I will have.”
Teachers play a significant role in every school, regardless of the students’ age. In particular, middle school teachers, especially in eighth grade, are responsible for preparing students for the challenges and to insure a smooth transition to move into high school.
“I do. I think they’re prepared in the sense of academics. I’m unsure behaviorally if we’re ready for high school yet, I think a lot of us are, but I think a lot of us also still have lessons to learn for sure,” Eighth grade teacher Jordan James said. “ I have mixed feelings always. For some reason I feel more sad than I usually do. Usually I can be like, okay, y’all are ninth graders now, like goodbye. But for some reason this year I think I might cry because I’ve worked so hard with all of my students.”
As the school year comes to a close, many teachers reflect on how much their seventh graders have grown and how prepared they are to take on the challenges of eighth grade.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working the 24-25 Kelly Lane school year. There’s been so much growth this year with my students,” seventh and eighth grade coach and teacher DJ Riley said. “ This was my first year kind of in the math role, so it was kind of different for me, but again, it was such a blast working with all of the students.”
As these seventh graders think about the future, a lot of them are super excited and can’t wait for all the things that eighth graders will have both in school and outside.
“I’m really excited for athletics next year,” seventh grader Rex Perez said. “ Mainly football and basketball i’m excited for but i’m also excited for my electives next year with spanish and maybe student Aide with coach Ben Keilman.”
Although seventh graders are excited for athletics next year. There are some downsides to being an eighth grade student athlete. But there is also a lot of positives that comes to athletics
“Us moving into eighth grade next year I feel there are good and bad things to look forward to,” seventh grader DJ Pitchford said. “ Athletics being in the afternoon is a downside, because it will be hotter but other than that I think eighth grade will go well.”
