Transitioning from Elementary School
Starting middle school can be an exciting time for students transitioning from elementary school. By definition, transition means the change from one place, state of being, or condition to another place, state of being, or condition. This transition is often complex.
As young adolescents are changing school buildings they are also changing hormonally, mentally, and physically. This transition affects young adolescents’ academic experiences, motivation, self-perception, and self-regulation. This process also affects parents and teachers.
Effective transition programs help students move to a new school and become a part of the new school. With the implementation of transition programs and the support of parents, teachers, administrators, and mental health professionals, this transition can positively impact students both socially and academically.
Students Speak: Transitioning to Deer Creek
School Visits
Each spring, incoming sixth graders have an opportunity to visit Deer Creek during the school day. They can learn about the school and tour the building. This provides an opportunity to experience when students are here and get a feeling for what the school environment is like on a school day. Visits are scheduled with our feeder schools Stony Creek and Ute Meadows. Choice-enrolled students are invited to attend as well.
New Beginnings
New Beginnings is a middle school transition program offered to all incoming students and occurs in August before school starts.
New Beginnings is designed to help students familiarize themselves with Deer Creek and the middle school experience. New Beginnings includes activities that help students meet classmates and make new friends, get to know the school layout, practice using their lockers, find their classrooms and take some of the stress and anxiety out of the first day of school.
Check back for information about the 2025-26 school year New Beginnings program.
Orientation Day: August 2023
Check back in Spring 2025 for more information about our Orientation Day/First Day of School - August 2026
- Orientation day includes meeting with Advisement teachers, locker setup, visiting classes and lunch. The half-day orientation gives sixth graders a chance to learn more about the building and their class locations with less hallway traffic and fewer students at one time.
Counselors
Deer Creek counselors play an important role in the transition to middle school. The counselor assigned to the incoming class of sixth graders will stay with them through their three years at Deer Creek and build a long-term relationship that supports students academically, socially and emotionally.
Mentoring Program
The Mountain Guides mentoring program is a group of eighth-grade student volunteers and counselors who work to support a welcoming environment at Deer Creek. The goal of this program is to help the incoming sixth graders acclimate to middle school while having strong support from members of the graduating class. Mentors are trained on leadership activities that they run with sixth graders during Access every other week. They also work one-on-one with many of those students to help with organization and study skills. Mentors are also involved in fifth-grade visits, sixth-grade orientation and school service projects.