9^th Grade Preparation

Leaving middle school and entering high school is a very exciting time. Students begin the initial stages of concrete future education planning or career planning. As part of this piece of the educational mission, Parents/Guardians should be aware of their 8^th graders opportunities during their last year in middle school. One opportunity is that 8^th grade students will be provided a chance to participate in the “Electives Showcase”. This is an event, usually in late February, where students go on a field trip to the Hamburg Area High School to listen to high school teachers describe the elective classes that they offer in the high school program. The event usually takes place in March every year. It is also around this time that 8^th grade students make their course request selections for their 9^th grade year. Parents/Guardians should be aware that each student’s selection form is requested to be signed and returned to the middle school.

For those 8^th grade students interested in the Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC) as part of their high school education should be aware that most students have the opportunity to apply to BCTC during their 9^th grade year.