The Next Step Up

By Seraphina Shi

June 20, 2025

On June 26th, 2025, JMS eighth graders will graduate from middle school and move up to high school, marking a transition between two stages of life. In this article, a variety of students with different backgrounds and interests have been asked to share their plans for the future as they enter this new chapter.

Finishing the Middle School Race

Sports play a significant role in the lives of many students. In high school, students can continue to pursue their passion for sports as they did in middle school. However, there might be slightly higher standards, and athletes are required to have a decent skill set. Audrey Pang, an eighth grader who is a part of volleyball, track, and cross country, explained what draws her to sports: “It is kind of like an outlet for academics, because you don't really have to think about academics whilst doing sports … you really have to focus on your actions and what you're doing.” Audrey states that she finds solace in sports, where she can take a break from studying. In addition, she also explains how sports allow students to reach out to other people and make new friends. “It is also a ground for socializing as well, because there are a lot of people that also participate with you, so it is not an individual, but it’s more of a team that brings [you] in,” she says. In addition, high school is much busier and more hectic compared to middle school, leaving little time for after-school activities. Audrey shares her thoughts: “I think that the work ethic will have to be greatly heightened, and the homework will probably increase, [with] the overall pressure that comes with being a high schooler,” she says. “I feel that with more responsibility comes more maturity.” Students often have to have a strong passion for sports, as well as a great deal of responsibility to be able to pursue sports in high school.

Doubling Down

Double Accelerated students in eighth grade are already taking high-school classes. This has already given them experience with the higher expectations in high school. These students take rigorous advanced classes in science, math, or both. Teddy Li, a student who takes advanced classes for both math and science, expresses his thoughts: “As a double accel student this year and last year, I’ve already had some experience with Regents classes, which are kind of like high school classes,” he explains. “So, although I know it will be different, I feel good because I already have the experience of doing these classes.” According to Teddy, high school will not be too different for him and other accelerated students, because they have prior knowledge of how the classes work, how assignments are graded, what the testing system is, etc. High school classes are difficult, so it’s natural to be nervous. But ninth grade isn’t all too different from eighth grade, most likely because it is the transitional phase between high school and middle school. Having prior experience with the curricula in high school, Teddy states, “Honestly, I don't think the difficulty gradient will be that high in ninth grade, but maybe in tenth grade and eleventh grade.”

Improving Languages Skills Around the Globe

Most students enroll in a language course in Jericho. At the end of the eighth grade, students are required to take a Checkpoint A test to evaluate what they have learned. This test will also affect the student’s GPA. Ananya Kavi, a middle school student who takes Spanish, expresses her feelings: “Next week I have the reading, listening, and writing portion of the test, and I’m kind of nervous for it because it impacts my overall grade; I'm pretty sure it’s a good portion of it,” she explains. “So, I hope I do well on that.” Also, since Checkpoint A is taking place near the end of the school year, near the Regents for accelerated students, it is often a stressful time. Ananya thinks this is helpful for time management: “It will kind of help me with balancing my schedule, as the Earth Science Regents is that week, and the Algebra Regents is the week after that,” she says. “I guess it will teach me more about managing my time, which will be crucial in high school.” Another important factor is the difficulty of the classes. Ananya shared, “I’m expecting it to be more rigorous, for it to be more challenging. And I’m expecting teachers to be less lenient and not give as many retakes as they do now.” Furthermore, students will have less time. Having to study and complete homework assignments will take up a lot of time for high school students. In high school, students cannot switch languages but may choose a different language as an elective. If they do so, they will start from level one, not the same level as their peers. But with students interested in travel, communication, translation, etc., this is a great way to start learning multiple languages.

What A Work of Art!

Many students are interested in a career in the arts, whether it be singing, dancing, acting, martial arts, etc. Often, these students also pursue this passion outside of school. Evan Yao, a dedicated performer in singing and acting, discusses his aspirations both inside and outside of school: “I hope to accomplish a lot of things in high school, like obviously getting straight A’s, and also being in the high school musicals and plays,” he says. “And also outside of school, I want to do musicals and plays.” Acting jobs also change as one gets older. During one’s teens, it’s more difficult to get roles, because not only do students have to juggle a lot of school work, but they must also walk a fine line between adult and child roles. “The teen stage is the weird stage between when you’re too old to act a kid role, but you’re too young to act an adult role,” Evan explains. Additionally, when asked about future goals and academics, Evan stated he wants to be proficient in both. After recently returning from Michigan to look into an art school, he says, “It’s apparently an art school that balances both musical theater and academics together. So it’s easier to get into Harvard and Yale, and other Ivy League schools.” According to Evan, a balance between academics and musical arts is important. 

Looking to the Future

Speaking of balance, students often have different thoughts about graduation. Leaving middle school can be both thrilling and saddening. Many feel some kind of attachment to middle school, whether it be teachers, friends, clubs, events, etc. And often enough, it is a goodbye. For example, there are some clubs in middle school that are unavailable in high school. Some teachers only work in the middle school, and friends might be put into separate classes. Certain events in the middle school are not in the high school, such as mini-olympics. However, students will learn responsibility and maturity as they get older. Many students have similar goals. Evan Yao expresses, “ I hope I’ll get more responsible, extremely, because I’m so irresponsible right now, and I gotta handle my own stuff and be more independent in the future.” Ananya Kavi mentioned, “I guess what I’m hoping to do is expand as a person emotionally and academically. I would like to have more personal growth.” Furthermore, high school is the perfect time to explore. With new clubs, classes, and sports, students are free to pick what captures their interest. “I will also try to put myself out there more and try to go out of my comfort zone instead of just staying in my comfort zone,” Audrey Pang says. “In terms of academics, I will just pursue whatever interests me, whatever I can, and I will try not to back down.” 

Students graduate from eighth grade every year. Sneaking a peek into the lives of students with different interests and goals, we can gain an idea of how graduation affects students differently. But no matter how different everyone is, they all are going through the same thing during graduation: Change. Change happens to everyone, and this is just one of the many changes a person will experience in their lifetime. Some take it as an opportunity for self-improvement, while others use this chance to explore the different pathways they can take. As Teddy Li says, “Change in life, you can’t stop change, right? But even if you can’t stop it, you should always just be looking forward to it. You should accept it.”