Every year, Madison High School welcomes new faces to the halls, and Dodgers must join with Huskies. Every year, graduates from Harding Township School file into Madison High, mixing with completely new groups that have already been formed from past school years. Out of this year’s freshman class of 208 students, only 25 students come from Harding. That’s only 12% percent of the class.
An interview with an incoming freshman from Harding:
Madison Dodger Online (MDO): How was the overall transition from a small middle school, to a much larger high school?
Harding Freshman (HF): “The transition from a small middle school to a larger high school was not easy. I was used to a school that I had been in for 8 years where I felt comfortable. The transition was thrown at me and it was hard to adapt to new surroundings.”
MDO: How welcoming were the teachers and peers?
HF: “The teachers were more welcoming than the students. I was thrown into the school and was expected to adapt, however some teachers noticed and tried to make it easier. Many teachers compared their teaching methods to the Junior School, however I am from Harding so I couldn’t relate. Not many teachers ask or know if any of us are from Harding. I can’t speak for my fellow Harding students, but overall the students tried to be welcoming, even if they had their own friend groups already.
MDO: Are you still close with Harding students, or have you branched off to meet other students?
HF: “It is hard to stay close with my friends since we have been completely separated. There are only about two Harding students in every class, so it’s nice to see them all in the common lunch.”
MDO: Do you think playing a team sport makes the transition easier?
HF: “I definitely think that playing a team sport makes the transition easier. Playing a team sport means you have to go to summer pre-season and meet your peers and upperclassmen sooner than September. It also allows you to know more students in your classes and I definitely think it would make the transition easier.”
MDO: To Madison Students, how easy was the transition into high school for you?
Madison Freshman: “The transition from Madison Junior School to the High School was very smooth for me. I knew lots of people already from around town and from being in school with them. I already knew a few of my teachers also. I feel like Madison Junior School prepared me well for the new school.”
As one can see, students from the Harding Middle School and the Madison Junior School have had very different experiences when making the transition. As a Harding graduate, I can relate to the upcoming freshmen from Harding. It is a difficult and new experience and it’s a hard adjustment, especially because it happens so fast. I personally think the faculty from Madison High School attempt to be welcoming, however, I feel they should take a few extra actions to integrate the students better.