Transition to NHS
For those students who will be transitioning to Needham High School, there are resources and information available to support this important step in your student's educational journey. We encourage you to familiarize yourself to all that is available and ask questions as needed.
Every winter Needham High School offers an 8th Grade Parent Night hosted by NHS. This information session offers an overview of the high school in general as well as covers the academic and course selection process. Additional there is an Athletic Night where families can learn about the multitude of sports teams and way to participate in our athletic programs. Go Rockets!!
There are three websites that are chaulk full on information to families familiarize themselves with all NHS has to offer as well as how to get help along the way.
The Needham High School website is the place to start. Include are links to the Program of Studies and Student Handbook we encourage all our families to review.
"Getting to Know Needham High" is an orientation webpage with useful information as you begin your experience at NHS.
Finally, the NHS Counseling Department website lets you know the supports that are available to your student thorough their four years at NHS.
As you consider your student's transition to NHS, including their academic and social, emotional needs, it is important to keep in mind the following points:
NHS does not "track" students academically, The levels they start at when entering NHS are rarely the levels they graduate at. Each year during the course selection process, students have the opportunity to consider their level placement in consultation with their current teacher, School Counselor and parent/guardian. Our goal is to challenge students appropriately each year, increasing their rigor the four years while maintaining academic success.
NHS does not honor teacher request. With over 1,600 students and the complexity of a master schedule that offers a robust curriculum, it simply is not possible to do so.
NHS does not honor teacher changes. This includes if an older sibling has had the teacher in question. The only exception is if the student has had the teacher previously. It is our belief that students have the capacity to form their own unique relationship with their teachers and this should be fostered. Concerns about a teacher match can be directed to the Department Head of teacher's subject matter.
NHS does not honor request to have peers in the same class. For the same reason that NHS can not honor teacher request, we can not honor request for students to be out in the same classes. Students do have ample time before and after school as well as during lunch and X Block to connect to friends. If you are concerned about your students transition, we encourage you to reach out to their School Counselor and teacher(s) at the being of the year. We appreciate your student's apprehensions and can work to support their making new connection in classes where they do not have a familiar face. Most often students find their footing within a few days!
NHS's mission is simple: A caring community striving for personal growth and academic excellence. We look forward to having you join our community. A Caring Community Striving for Personal Growth and Academic ExcellenceA Caring Community Striving for Personal Growth and Academic Excellence