By Keira Small, Staff Writer
10/8/25
ROCKLAND- When students transfer schools, it can fluster them.
Changing schools can be very stressful for students, especially when they don’t know people in their school or in their class.
Rockland High School freshman Favour Ndukwe was from Weymouth and came to Rockland High after moving.
She said, “[When my parents told me I was switching schools] I was so sad because I felt like [I was losing] my friends, and it was so unexpected.”
Freshman Valerie Salazar Pena said that she had thought about her future and thought she would attend all the Brockton schools.
For many people, switching schools can also be a choice, rather than being forced to go to another school
Eleanor O’Connor went to Rogers Middle School but is a freshman at Milton Academy this year.
O’Connor said, “Knowing if I could apply to a better school and get in, I would definitely take that opportunity and switch schools.”
Some parents also decide that their kids should go to other town schools, rather than their own for many different reasons.
English teacher Kendra Donovan lives in Holbrook, but her children attend Phelps Elementary in Rockland through the School Choice program.
Ms. Donovan said, “[The decision] was definitely [based on] academics, even a little bit for safety.”
The first days can be intimidating for many people, especially if they are moving to a new school where they don’t know many people. Though it can be scary, moving can turn out very well in the end.
Ndukwe said, “[My first day] was really nice, a lot of people came up to me and talked to me, and I felt really welcomed.”
Ms. Donovan said that her daughter's first day at Phelps was very nerve-wracking as the school was much bigger than her previous school. She explained that even after many years, her daughter is still nervous for each of her first days, since the school is so big.
Moving schools can also be very stressful, as if you aren’t properly prepared, you will get lost.
O’Connor said, “My first day I was late to four out of five of my classes… and I got lost in one of the buildings.”
Making friends comes easily to some, while it is harder for others.
Starting at Milton Academy this year had its obstacles for O’Connor, who said, “[I made friends] pretty easily, though I definitely was surprised… It’s like connecting with people on a different level.“
Ndukwe explained that the people at Jefferson Elementary were very nice to her and making friends was easy, since people just came up to her and talked to her.
People from different schools have different types of people with different cultures and traditions that may seem strange to outsiders.
O’Connor said, "There's this girl from Hong Kong who’s saying they watched the 2024 election, like we never do that for Hong Kong.”
Ndukwe said, “They were really nosy in Weymouth. In Jefferson, they minded their own business and respected things.”
Hanging out with friends when living in another town can be an issue for some.
Donovan shared that she has always been nervous about play-dates for her kids, since they live in another town than their classmates, they have a higher chance to not see their friends as much as someone who also lives in Rockland. She also said that she tries her best to schedule enough play dates so they can see their friends inside and outside of school.
While moving schools can be very tough, it also brings new opportunities and a fresh slate for the new year.