Transitioning to Middle School
After
a stimulating and exciting journey as Country Day students, the graduating fifth graders have been well prepared and nurtured by many
teachers’ talented hands. As sixth graders, the children move forward from our small school community and into the larger world of middle school, taking
with them the lessons they learned at Fox Chapel Country Day School. The students are more than ready to take this next step.
Parents
have commented that the children are well prepared both academically and
socially. They possesses the necessary classroom skills, earning many academic
accolades as they move forward, and they are also armed with the ability to
manage the time and responsibilities of the homework. In addition they readily
welcome new friendships and adapt comfortably to the new larger environment. Throughout
middle school, our former students are praised for participating
enthusiastically and successfully in sports, leadership, drama and music opportunities.
Through
conversations with the faculty and administration of the local independent and
public middle schools, it is reported that our students regularly earn honors for
academics, athletics, and the arts. As they move forward into high schools, many
former students have been recognized within the schools, locally and nationally
for their impressive accomplishments, and they have been accepted into very
notable college and university programs.
Process of
applying to Middle School
The
process of applying to middle school can be daunting. Parents are guided by Country Day teachers and administration so that each family can make the best
decision for the child’s next step and all steps can be completed on time. This
process begins in the summer between fourth and fifth grade when parents share with the fifth grade teacher
what their ideas are for sixth grade. The teacher then becomes a helpful
partner by writing recommendations, personally talking or meeting with
admissions personnel, and guiding parents through the multiple application
steps. Country
Day provides a timetable to help parents navigate through the process.
October - Attend independent
school coffees held in the Country Day library.
- Contact schools to set up student
visits.
- Receive ISEE
registration materials from FCCDS and register
by December for testing.
October - December- Student visits occur.
November - December- Sign up for Dorseyville Middle School visit if interested.
December - January - Complete all applications.
- Submit
recommendation forms to fourth and fifth grade teachers.
- Submit transcript
requests to Mrs. Burbank.
- ISEE test is
administered at Country Day.
February - Application must be completed and sent to schools.
- School
admissions committees meet to make decisions by the end of the month.
March - Common date for announcing decisions to families by letter
(usually in the first week of
March).
April - Common date for responding to school offers with a signed
contract (usually first week of
April).
June - Requests for final transcripts and records due to Mrs.
Burbank.
