Sabercat Chronicle
"A PLACE FOR GREATNESS"
Walker Butte: Middle School to High School
- An Author
Next year, many current eighth grade students are going to become the new Freshman of San Tan Foothills High School. Questions are starting to arise about the incoming freshman, some include if they really are prepared for high school? (academically and mentally), how many of the eighth graders are athletes, and what were they previously taught and how? Well we got to found out the answers to some of these questions by asking both Walker Butte and San Tan Heights Principals.
San Tan Heights Response
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How well do you believe the incoming Freshman will perform in their high school career?
“First, I believe one of the more difficult times for students is the transfer from Middle School to High School. It goes from grades to credits and the expectation that you will do things on your own changes. The students that are learning responsibility tend to do better. I believe our 8th graders will initially have the same issues as most 8th graders yet they are doing well here. I have seen a great deal of growth in their attitude towards academics therefore I feel they may be ready for the challenge.”
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How well do the 8th Grade level students perform in class academically?
“Second, this is the first year in the Florence district and the students have been expected to perform academically. They are doing well and I expect that in the future at STFH.”
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How well do you think the athletes will perform?
“Third, again athletically just like academically the jump from middle school to high school is huge. Some will be ready to jump in immediately but most will take a year or two to do really well.”
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How many estimated 8th Grade students are there at San Tan Heights?
“90.”
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How confident are you with the teaching styles at San Tan Heights?
“I strive to have our teachers use a variety of teaching styles. I want them to do many types to appeal to all students learning styles. We have been working on that this year and making good progress.”
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What do you do to encourage students to continue their school career?
“Finally, I meet with the students in assemblies and often talk about SOAR-strive for excellence, outstanding character, always safe and respectful. I really push the respect piece. I tell them to come to school be respectful and give your best effort. We have used entire assemblies to talk about being motivated will make a difference. I talk to them about when they go out into the world or even at activities in school they represent us. We want them to aspire to be great whether it is the work world or college.”
Walker Butte’s Response
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How well do you believe the incoming Freshman will perform in their high school career?
“Fairly well. They are used to having to pick electives (we’ve had them for 2 years now at WBLS). The Leader In Me philosophy has had a positive impact on our students as well.”
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How well do the 8th Grade level students perform in class academically?
“We are optimistic that they will do well.”
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How well do you think the athletes will perform?
“Last year our WBLS teams won 6 of the 8 championships (3 boys and 3 girls) in our district. This year we are very competitive and have won a couple of district championships.”
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How confident are you with the teaching styles at Walker Butte?
“We have excellent teachers.”
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What do you do to encourage students to continue their school career?
“We encourage them to set goals or begin with the end in mind. For the past two years we have had a career day for all our middle school students where we bring in professionals and people in different careers to speak with our students and teach them about their careers.”
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How many estimated 8th Grade students are there at Walker Butte?
“118.”
