Becoming a Senior: The Transition From Grade Ten to Eleven

Written by: Claire Cotie

While transitioning from grade eight to grade nine is known for being a big jump, another major transition happens in high school; transitioning from the junior grades to the senior grades. This issue is often overlooked by many because it happens after a few years in high school, but it is still an adjustment that should be recognized.

When interviewed, Mr. Biffis, a guidance counsellor at KCI, said that “the transition from grade ten to eleven is a big step for students. They are entering a year where destreaming ends and pathway levels start to be discussed. These (topics) are stressful for all grades, but they just look a little different as you get older.” As part of the grade ten Career Studies class, students have discussions with their guidance counsellors regarding the directions they want to take in their futures. This helps them figure out their next steps academic-wise for grade eleven and their final years of high school. 

When asked about the grade ten to eleven transition, a current grade eleven student noted, “For me, grade eleven  is a lot more stressful than grade ten, and not just academically. Everyone starts talking about post-secondary options and what we want to do with our futures.” When students move to grade eleven, they are added to a new KCI Guidance Google Classroom for guidance counsellors to post about post-secondary opportunities. Students are given information about all of the options for after high school, which is helpful, but can also cause students to feel pressured to know what they want to explore for their post-secondary choices.

With regards to specific challenges within the grade ten to eleven transition, math teachers across the WRDSB have had to adjust their teaching styles due to the grade ten Math course becoming de-streamed. Mr. Smith, a KCI math teacher, commented on how the de-streamed class impacts grade ten and eleven math students: “Since the WRDSB insisted on a single-streamed grade ten class, we have had to adjust our teaching to accommodate more students. These adjustments have resulted in a less rigorous math course, but one where students are more successful.” He also spoke on the fact that students have more options for math courses to take once they reach grade eleven, helping to ease the transition by allowing students to have more control over their pathways and comfort in math.

Ultimately, the junior-to-senior transition impacts students, teachers, and other staff at KCI because we all play a part in supporting our fellow ONEKCI members. Transitions can be hard and can impact everyone in different ways, so it is important to offer assistance whenever possible.