What Every 8th-Grade Parent Needs to Focus On in 2024

Whether you’ve been here before or if this is your very first time, the reality is you?have an 8th grader who (Lord willing) is heading to high school in under a year. This is not a drill, a game, or a nostalgic moment of them being your baby. They are getting older, and it’s surreal!?

At the same time, it’s a great opportunity to lean in, get to know them (where they are), and help set or level set their foundation for future greatness. Think about it: your child is evolving and defining the type of young man or woman they’ll be, whether you’re ready or not.

It can be a scary yet humbling and exciting place to be...watching, encouraging, and sometimes cringing along this process. But in the words of my late grandmother, everything will be alright, and they?will?do just fine!

With this in mind, and since we’re at the start of a new school year, you can help to make sure they do just fine.

Seize this moment as an opportunity to play ship captain, ensuring safety and efficiency while helping them navigate life’s challenging waters.

As captain, the best thing you can do is be transparent, offer as much exposure as possible, and demonstrate great character. They’re always watching and listening even when we think they’re not.

I believe this (and a few more things)?will help ensure they do just fine.

Let’s dive into those “few more things”.

Here's what every 8th-grade parent needs to focus on to set a solid foundation for future success:

Character Development

We’re literally living in a time and culture where hate, canceling people, drama, gossip, and a lack of integrity are celebrated. People are comfortable doing less, being dishonest, cutting corners, and cutting people—with their words, actions, and behaviors—and it goes unchecked or viral.

One of the most important things you can do for your 8th grader is to help instill and establish the importance of character, integrity, and the difference between intangibles vs. tangible things. Oh, and teaching them about not compromising while showing up as the person they want to be in the future.

I highly recommend doing a tangible vs. intangible exercise with them. This exercise is where you teach them and provide examples of tangible vs. intangible things, emphasizing how intangibles are of greater value.

Have them think about their own character and boundaries, listing out what they will and won’t tolerate from friends, life, and even themselves.

Consider making a pact together, inspiring them to always honor what they listed, even when it’s unpopular. Encourage them to act and show up like the person they want to be in the future and how they would want to be treated.

Academic Readiness and Goal Setting

Because eighth grade is the final year before high school, it’s crucial for your students to solidify their academic foundations. Granted, distractions are galore, and even as parents, we’re also distracted. However, introducing the idea of delayed gratification and rewarding themselves after handling their business helps.

Work with them to set clear, achievable academic goals. Help them to create solid study habits and boundaries, such as no phones, being in well-lit and quiet areas, and working in breaks after study stretches (lasting more than 1 hour). Encourage them to excel in core subjects like math, science, and language arts, as these will be essential for high school coursework.

You can mandate small amounts of weekend work in these areas, too. But make it fun, for example, by having them write short poems or stories to enhance writing skills. Challenge them to avoid shorthand writing, even in text messaging, and help with budgeting the house finances to enhance math and economic skills. Creating learning opportunities is endless.

There are also countless fun YouTube science projects you can do as well.

Lastly, talk to teachers about your child’s strengths and areas for improvement, and consider extra support, like tutoring, if needed. Be really honest about your learner’s capacity, gifts, and weak areas to make sure they’re set up for success.

High School Selection and Preparation

For many students, the high school they will attend can be a stifling or a game-changer, offering specialized programs and robust courses that align with their interests and career aspirations. However, this won’t be the case for everyone. If the school in your zone has limited offerings, consider looking for programs or other ways to supplement that lack of exposure. Check your school’s report card and ranking to learn about the benefits. You can learn more about local schools at www.greatschools.org. Remember, your responsibility is to ensure your student is set up for success. It’s not solely on teachers or the school to prepare your child. Students need parent advocates to ask the right questions, engage with teachers, and find ways to ensure they have what they need and aren’t lacking.

Lastly, consider researching all the local high school options, including magnet schools, charter schools, and programs focusing on STEM, arts, or vocational training. Attend some open houses or virtual tours, and discuss with your learner what environment might be the best fit. Pay attention to application deadlines for specialized programs that may accept students as early as 9th grade.

Cultural and Social Support Networks

Eighth grade can also be a time when social dynamics become more blatant and complex, specifically for Black and Brown learners in communities with limited access to exposure or for those attending high schools as the minority.?

Some parents may be faced with prioritizing their learner’s social and emotional well-being in settings where there is a lack of representation and cultural awareness over having better academic opportunities. It can be a humbling place to be in.

In short, predominately white schools (while usually heavily resourced and have vast offerings) are not always the answer at the expense of your child’s emotional well-being. Exposure to diversity is crucial, but also ensuring your learner feels supported, safe, and respected within their school community. Ask the right questions when vetting schools.

Encourage your child to engage in activities celebrating their culture and heritage, whether through school clubs, community organizations, or cultural events. Help them establish a strong sense of who they are and the beauty of their diversity. Support them in connecting with other parents and families who share similar experiences to create a strong support network.

Building Soft Skills and Self-Advocacy

Academic skills are vital, but so are the soft skills that help students navigate high school and beyond. Teach your students the importance of having soft skills. Focus on helping your learner develop time management, organization, and effective communication skills.

Encourage them to be patient, kind, tolerant, and open to the ideas of others even when they don’t agree. Let them know that healthy conflict is normal and important, and there will be times when they must agree to disagree and that this is okay.

Teach them how to advocate for themselves, whether asking for help when needed or constructively expressing their opinions and disagreements. These skills will not only benefit them in high school but will also be critical in college and their future careers.

Exploring Career Interests

While it may feel a bit early, 6-8th grade is an excellent time for students to consider and explore potential career interests. It’s also a good time to do an assessment with your student. Take an inventory of their skills, passions, and what they’re talented at. You can then (based on their skills, passions, and talents) list careers that best align with those areas, have them research what each career field does, and help them connect these to possible career paths.

Encourage your child to participate in career days, internships, or job shadowing opportunities. They can shadow you or a relative for a day. This early exploration can help them make high school course selections and extracurricular activities, leading them toward success.

Mental Health and Well-being

Take a moment and reflect on what it was like when you went to high school. Now, think about where we are now with the advent of social media, AI, doomscrolling, social impulsivity, and other technologies. It’s a rough and more sensitive time for students, especially due to social media. Think about it: the social component is everything to students—being liked, accepted, and discovering who they are.

Transitioning from middle to high school can be stressful and even deadly. According to the Johnson Foundation, for middle and high school-age youth (ages 12–18), suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death.

It’s so, so, SO important to keep an eye on your child’s mental health. You’ve got to pay attention to what they consume, how they see themselves, and how they process challenges.

TikTok is raising so many middle schoolers, which can be tremendously detrimental if you’re not having these conversations and monitoring what they’re watching online. Check their search histories as well. Please foster open and non-judgmental communication, ensuring your child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.

Learn to put on a poker face when listening to them. Your body language, facial expressions, and non-verbal responses are often the loudest and could deter them from sharing in the future.

Also, process your own stuff before taking on theirs; this way, you?can better serve them. If your child shows signs of anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. Speak with their teachers and get to know their friends to foster a deeper community and understanding of what’s happening?when you’re not around. Practicing a healthy mindset (now) is key to achieving academic and personal success in high school.

Financial Literacy and Future Planning

It’s never too early to start discussing the financial aspects of education. Introduce your child to basic financial literacy concepts like saving, budgeting, and understanding the importance of credit and the cost of higher education. If they are projected to be a first-gen student, you’ll really need to lean into the importance of keeping their grades up as a means to fund school. College is expensive, and painting the picture of good grades equaling money will help!??

You can begin telling them about scholarship opportunities and researching financial aid options together?so you’re both well-prepared when the time comes.

By focusing on these areas during the 2024 school year, you can ensure that your 8th grader will have a strong foundation for high school and beyond.

Being transparent, offering as much exposure as possible, demonstrating great character, and being active and proactive are key. This will empower students to pursue high school confidently, knowing they have the tools and support they need to succeed.

I hope this was helpful. Remember, you’re the ship captain, so stay engaged and hopeful—your involvement and steering make all the difference!

Xo, Rahk