8th Grade Transition to High Schools for Families New to U.S. Public Schools

On February 11, 2025 the Cultural and Family Partnerships team hosted "8th grade Transition Night for Families New to High Schools in the US" event. Topics covered include what are high school credits and how credits are earned each year for graduation requirements and college applications. Other topics include possible high school opportunities, and state and college testing information. District staff were available to answer questions.

This event will be held again in February 2026.

Presentation Transcripts

English

8^th grade Information Night For Families NEW to the US public school System

Click here for link to PPT

Presented by – Equity and Family Partnership Department and Student Intervention Department

Objective:

Help parents or guardians who have NOT attended public schools in the United States better understand the school system design and programs.
Provide resources for families on where to learn more information

Family Partnership Group

Lorna Gilmour – ISD Family Partnership Specialist, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), ISD, English Session
Lina Marin – Family Liaison, Liberty High School Feeder Pattern (Maywood and Cougar Mountain MS) –Spanish Session
Liliana Medina – Family Liaison, Issaquah High School (Issaquah Middle) and (Pacific Cascade MS)- Spanish Session
Wenli Mithal- Family Liaison, Skyline High School Feeder Pattern - Mandarin Session

Why Family Partnerships? Diverse school community with many families that have immigrated from various countries throughout the world. Support our diverse families and other families understand and navigate the school system

Family Partnership Liaisons support parents and help them navigate the schools. We encourage you to email a liaison and discuss any questions you may have about the transition to high school. ISD Liaison contact page

Click here for School Counseling

Click here for School Feeder Patterns

Screenshot of School Feeder Patterns

Main Difference between Secondary School in US and other countries

Parents and student are the managers of their education
Access to high school education (public) is free at all students grades 9-12 and provide to all students (with some age restrictions).
Students are independent, are responsible for choices and decision made towards their high school and beyond pathway
Students need to advocate for their academic welfare
Focus on well-rounded student – academic and other interests
ISD – focus on college preparedness, however many opportunities and pathways to trade schools, technical colleges and other opportunities after high school.

Differences between Middle and High School

Middle school - Trimester system to High school - Semester system
Finals given at the end of the semester (modified schedule for whole school)
Students self-select courses throughout high school (not placed by counselor or teacher)
Teachers and counselors can advise students regarding course selection and beyond high school, but it is student decision
Even more choices in courses especially as you move to into 10-12^th grade
More opportunities for clubs and extracurricular activities
School Counselor and College & Career Center – VERY important resources in high school

Common High School Terms

9^th grade – Freshman
10^th grade – Sophomore
11^th grade – Junior
12^th grade – Senior
Next year’s Freshman- Class of 2029

Transcripts

A transcript is a record of the grades of ALL classes taken in high school. Show the number of credits earned for each class. Colleges and universities often request a school transcript as part of the application and admissions process.

Grades

Every Grade earned in a class from 9^th to 12^th grade are on the school transcript.
(New transcript of you move to a new school)
In ISD, it is a cumulative grade based on tests, assignments and projects.
See teacher’s syllabus for more details.
Students are NOT ranked, but will have a Grade Point Average
Passing classes is crucial for graduation requirements
GPA – Grade point average, cumulative numerical score of letter grade
No credit earned for grade F

Screenshot of Grade Point Table

How do you earn high school credits?

Each semester = ½ credit
1 completed year – 1 credit so 1 year of 9^th grade passing ELA will be 1 credit
Students take 7 classes each semester so can earn 3.5 credits per semester (with passing grade in all classes) and 7 credits each year
If a student does not earn the credits required to graduate for their assigned graduation year after 4 years in high school, they can continue in high school to earn credits and graduate. (5^th year in HS)
Washington's compulsory attendance laws require children between the ages of eight (8) and 18 to attend school, with some exceptions.

Screenshot of a Washington State High School Transcript and grading scale:

Screenshot of WA State High School Transcript

Screenshot of information on a transcript:

Class description
Year credit earned
Credits attempted
Credits Earned
Running Start classes
8th grade classes
Online Classes
Course designation - honors, Advanced Placement, IB, etc.
Credit is earned for any passing grade A, B, C, or D
No credit earned for F grade

Screenshot of A Transcript-GPA

8th Gr. classes taken for high school credit.
Credits earned & attempted
Grade Point Average (GPA) for each semester and cumulative
State requirements Met vs NOT Met
Other high school earned information
Students/parents can request a transcript be sent directly to the university or college or a copy be sent to them via the Parchment website.

Parchment. Access to Parchment link is also on each high school Counseling Page.

(Issaquah High) link to Parchment

Screenshot of Transcript with Parchment info

What information is NOT on Transcript?

•If student has a 504 or an IEP

•Medical or health status

•Discipline in school

•In-progress grades – only final grades at end of semester

Note – All GPA are unweighted as required by Washington State Law.

How to graduate from High School?
Earn Credits (WA state requires 24 credits to graduate)

Students need to earn a minimum number of high school credits to graduate
Credits show that students have met academic requirements by passing a course
Passing grade is A, B, C or D
Percentage that will determine “F” grade is determined by teacher – please check each teacher’s syllabus. May vary but usually 59.9% or lower

Over 4 years, students can earn...

7 credits per year
1 credit per period/class for the year (1/2 each semester)

Graduation Requirements

•Fulfilling class credit requirements: Course and credit requirements for earning a high school diploma are found in each school’s course guide linked below. Graduation requirements are assigned according to a student’s year of graduation.

•Crafting a High School and Beyond Plan – Each student shall have a high school plan to guide his or her high school experience, including plans for post-secondary education or training and career. Students shall create their high school and beyond plans in cooperation with parents, guardians and school staff. School staff shall work with students to update the plans during the years in which the plan is implemented in order to accommodate changing interests and goals.

•Meeting Standards on State Assessments (SBA) or other Graduation Pathways – Students meet standard in: Language Arts and Math

•Washington State History (ISD students take and meet this requirement in 7th grade Social Studies)

Class	Required credits to earn high school Diploma at all ISD high schools	Required credits to enter a 4-year college or university*
English Language Arts	4 credits	4 credits
Social Studies	3 (1.0 World, 0.5 Global, 1.0 US, 0.5 Civics)	3-4 credits
Math	3 credits (Algebra 1, Geometry, 3rd year Math)	3-4 credits (minimum through Algebra 2 and quantitative class in senior year)
Science	3 credits (2 lab sciences and 1 other)	3 credits (Biology, Chemistry or Physics, 1 other
World Language	2 credits* NOTE: biliterate students can take a competency test to earn up to 4 World Language Credits	2 credits NOTE: biliterate students can take a competency test to earn up to 4 World Language Credits
Art	2 credits (Fine or Applied Art)*	1 credit (must be Fine, Visual or Performing Arts)
PE/Health credit	1.5 credits of PE and 0.5 credits Health	Not required for college entrance but provide opportunities for students to demonstrate and explore their learning
Career and Technical Education (CTE)	1 credit (many options in high school)	Not required for college entrance but provide opportunities for students to demonstrate and explore their learning
Elective credit (any course)	4 credits	Not required for college entrance but provide opportunities for students to demonstrate and explore their learning

*Personal pathway option can be chosen in place of up to 2.0 World Language and 1.0 Art.

Visit this website to see list of languages available to access for biliteracy (also check with school counselor in 9th grade)

All standard, honors, AP and IB courses meet college entrance requirements.

Check individual college for credit requirements and types of courses specific to college program or university.

*********************************************************************

Graduation Requirement in Family Access

Screenshots of Graduation Requirement tab

Graduation Pathways

Students select a pathway based on their post high school goal.

Post-secondary goal (2 or 4 year college)
- Meet standards in Math and English Language Arts (ELA)
- Options include SBA, college level class, college level test
Military career goal
- Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) – aptitude test related to military careers
Career/Technical goal
- Complete a sequence of CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses in one program area (Check website for more details)

High School Courses - Choices and Options

There are opportunities to take combination of classes – standard classes, AP/IB, Running Start, Career and Technical Education, Online, etc.
No ONE standard college preparation pathway – best pathway
Admission requirements at colleges (university or technical) different
Research requirements for your pathway
Tailor classes to fit the need to individual student – no one size fits all
- Individualized model of high school is part of US education philosophy
Standard College Preparation
Honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (IB) (College prep plus)
Running Start (earn college credits in HS starting in 11^th and 12^th grade)
WANIC
Online classes in HS (district website)
Career and Technical Education

Tests or Assessments – Options in High School

SAT/ACT – Possible College requirement for admission (college dependent)
Advanced Placement (AP) – Can earn college credits
- Issaquah High School and Liberty
International Baccalaureate (IB) exams – Can earn college credits
- Skyline High School

*PSAT – Preliminary SAT

Not required for graduation but 10th and 11th grade students take it in Fall during the school day.

Possible SAT score predictor

MLL (Multilingual Learners) Program

For students who are in 8th grade MLL and not proficient – they will continue in the MLL program in 9th grade
WIDA (annual English language test) in February/March to check student’s level of English language proficiency – only given to students who qualify for the MLL program (students who took screener test when they started at a school).
In high school, MLL students take one English Language Development class from a certificated MLL teacher.
Class focuses on academic language needed for content classes so students can succeed in math, language arts, social studies and science
Reading, writing, listening and speaking of academic English language critical for students’ success in school

Role of School Counselor in High School

Academic support, Monitor students’ progress towards graduation to ensure they are on track
Advise students and families about course selection
Help new students with course equivalencies
Resources (academic, social, emotional) and Running Start Information
Social and Emotional Counseling
Not a stigma to talk to counselor – support person in high school
Talk to students about social and emotional issues
Connect students with mental health resources available on campus
Rise of anxiety and depression in schools around the country and world
College and Career Planning

Links to School Counseling sites

Issaquah High Liberty High Skyline High

Choice ISD High School – Gibson Ek High School – Visit the school website for more information

High school counselor assigned based on student last name
Same high school counselor for 9-12^th grade (exceptions due to staff changes)
How to access counselor for students
For quick questions – can drop in before or after school or lunch (not class time)
Students can make appointment in counseling office to see a counselor or via email
Dependent on school – time during day, Flex time
How families access a counselor
Email to make an appointment with your child’s counselor (call counseling office if no email)
8^th grade parents should wait till September to start meeting high school counselor
For questions regarding course selection this year, contact middle school counselor

College and Career Center

Resource for STUDENTS – families may accompany student for scheduled meeting (starting 10^th grade)
Issaquah High School link
Liberty High School link
Skyline High School link
Mission to help students plan for post-secondary goals
Helps with high school and beyond planning
Separate office at each school than the Counseling Center
Provides resources to help student plan for life after high school
Helps facilitate the following
Career exploration
Post-High School Planning
College and Military visits – during school time, excused absence from class grades 11-12
Scholarship Information and resources/information on how to pay for college
Information on technical colleges, trade programs, two-year colleges
Volunteer, Internship and Part-time job opportunities
College Essay support during senior year

Know it exists and encourage your student to visit and check out the resources!!

College Entrance requirements

Check website of college and universities as student is planning courses
Varies from college to college
- A few examples include UW link, U of O, DigiPen
Grade Point Average (GPA) & academic rigor often a factor
- GPA not weighted – per Washington State law
Many also include essays and extracurricular activities
Many colleges look for well-rounded students who have demonstrated leadership skills and doing extracurricular activities
More and more colleges do not require SAT/ACT (score is optional)
- Washington State schools do not require SAT/ACT scores, optional with no weight on score

High School Athletics

Required documents for sports registration can be uploaded to Final Forms
Sports fee at each high school (Financial aid available contact ASB bookkeeper)
Physicals are required to participate in athletics (check time frame for physical)
Check each school's website for start dates of sport or when the season starts.
For sports registration information and documents - visit Final Form
Contact the Athletic department at each school for more information
Check eligibility for sports.

Resource – Athletics and Activities Info Night slide deck / video recording.

Clubs and Extracurricular Opportunities

•Check school website and announcements about club and extracurricular opportunities

under ASB tab on website: Issaquah HS clubs, Skyline HS club, Liberty clubs

•Best way for students to feel connected to the school and to make new friends

•Important for the social wellbeing of students – meeting friends and exploring interests

•MANY opportunities for students – varied interests

•After-school buses for transportation (like middle schools)

•Can be used to demonstrate leadership

•Often a factor how colleges view students

Part-Time Job and Volunteer Opportunities

•Volunteer service and part-time jobs can also be listed in college applications

•Job posting often available in College and Career Center

•Some clubs may have volunteer opportunities as part of the club activities

•Volunteering opportunities – Liberty, Issaquah and Skyline

•Outside school – community leadership opportunities (see Cultural Bridges magazine)

•Students can log their volunteer hours

•some schools have a log available on PTSA site

•community service and leadership demonstrated

•good for college applications

Gibson Ek - project-based high school

•Smaller environment (200 students)

•where students work closely with a teacher

•and have opportunities to deeply explore their interests

•through project-based learning

•and community internships

•to prepare for any opportunity after high school, including college, technical school or employment

Gibson Ek

•Gibson Ek Open House on Feb. 26th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm

•Visit their enrollment page: https://gibsonek.isd411.org/our-school/enrollment

•Applications are open now! Closes on March 14th

•Admission lottery on March 17th

*students not selected are added to waiting list.

•Any family is welcome to meet with principal or staff to tour the school or ask questions!

General reminders

•Special Ed – IEP will follow students to high school

•504 and Health Plans – follow students (staff will connect)

•Lunch – same system with more options, student lunch account is same

•Transportation – Check route the week before school starts

•Activity bus also available (Monday to Thursday – not same stops)

•Assigned laptops in the high school (distributed 1st week of school)

•Check grades on Canvas (Recording and slide deck)

•Check attendance and graduation milestones in Family Access

8th Grade transition events at the High Schools

•Students and parents are encouraged to attend events at the high schools regarding 9th grade (Events in March)

•Middle Schools will send weekly bulletins to families with more information before events. Look for information in school bulletins in February/March

•High School counselors present to 8th grade students about high school course selection.

•Students submit their course selection directly through Student Access.

Dates of High School Family Night for Transition
Check for dates or updates on the school's website

•Skyline High School

•Family Welcome Night March 5th and Q&A on March 6th

•Issaquah High School

•IHS Course Registration Nights for 8th graders and new/transfer students

•March 4th and 5th – night based on student last name

•Liberty High School

•February 25th

What can parents do to prepare for their child’s transition to HS?

•Visit and become familiar with information provided by the high school their child will attend.

•Talk to your 8th grade about their interests and plans for high school and beyond.

•Plans can be flexible! Adjust as your child continues to grow & change (career or interests).

•Review and discuss the class options for 9th grade in the course guide with your child.

•In 9th and 10th grade, build a relationship with the high school counselor.

•Talk to other high school families and students about high school (courses, clubs, extracurricular activities, factors considered for course selection, etc.).

What next!

Subscribe and read weekly bulletins for your high school and check the ISD District Website for Announcements.
If you have any questions, email YOUR child’s middle school counselor this year.
Attend school’s incoming 9^th grade course selection in February
Be sure your child attends the schools’ Freshman Orientation events in August (be on the look out in the weekly bulletin)
TALK to your child about what they learned in school about high school preparation, Xello, etc.
If you have any questions that are general to all high school in the ISD, please contact a Family Partnership Liaison.