What Parents Need to Know About Middle School
Middle school is often described as a bridge: a transition between the playfulness of childhood and the independence of high school. For parents, it can be one of the most confusing and challenging stretches of the education journey. Students are navigating new social pressures, heavier academic expectations, and a growing sense of identity. To help make sense of this crucial stage, South Shore Times sat down with Robert Hamblet, head of BC High’s Arrupe Division (the school’s middle school program), to talk about what really matters for kids during these years and what parents everywhere should keep in mind.
What makes middle school such a unique time in a child’s life?
Middle school is when children begin to transition from thinking of themselves primarily as part of a family unit to recognizing themselves as independent learners and friends. It is a time when curiosity grows quickly, but so do questions about identity and belonging. Our role as educators is to create an environment where students can explore new interests, learn from setbacks, and start to understand what it means to be responsible for their own choices. When that environment is supportive, kids can discover strengths they did not know they had.
Parents often worry about the social side of middle school. What should they know?
Social dynamics are a central part of middle school, and they can be challenging for both students and parents to navigate. Friendships change, cliques form, and children experiment with who they want to be. It is important for parents to understand that this is normal. What helps most is modeling healthy communication at home and checking in regularly without judgment. When students feel that their parents are a steady, supportive presence, they are better equipped to handle the inevitable ups and downs of middle school friendships.
How do you think about academics for middle schoolers?
The middle school years should be about building habits that last rather than chasing perfect grades. Students need to be challenged, but they also need room to try and fail. It is often the first time they encounter real academic struggle, and that experience is invaluable. If they can learn to ask good questions, manage their time, and bounce back from mistakes, they will carry those skills into high school and beyond. The measure of success is not whether they always get the right answer but whether they are growing as thinkers and problem solvers.
What role should parents play in helping with schoolwork?
Parents should think of themselves as guides rather than managers. That means asking questions such as “What did you find most interesting today?” or “How are you planning to tackle that project?” instead of checking every assignment. Creating consistent routines and encouraging a quiet space for study helps too. When parents step back enough to let children take ownership, they allow them to build confidence and resilience. Support is important, but independence is what helps students thrive.
Middle school can also be tough emotionally. How can parents support their child’s well-being?
Listening is the most powerful tool a parent has. Children at this age often feel emotions intensely, and they may not have the words to explain what they are going through. Parents do not need to solve every problem. They need to show that they hear their child, take their feelings seriously, and will be there no matter what. Encouraging balance in a child’s life is also key. Time for schoolwork, sports or arts, and unstructured downtime all matter equally. Simple family routines, like eating together or taking a walk, create natural opportunities for conversation and reassurance.
If you had one piece of advice for parents of middle schoolers, what would it be?
Appreciate the journey, even when it feels messy. Middle school is filled with change, and that can be uncomfortable. But it is also a time of tremendous growth. Celebrate small victories, whether it is a child learning to advocate for themselves, finishing a challenging book, or making a new friend. Do not let the difficult moments overshadow the progress. Children remember that their parents stood by them and believed in them. That memory can become one of the strongest foundations for their future.