The time between PreK and 8th grade is critical to building a strong foundation that prepares students to enter high school. Historically, private schools followed a PreK-8 structure where students stay on the same campus until they go to high school. By the 1960s, schools began implementing junior high campuses to accommodate rising enrollment numbers. In the early 2000s, we started to see a shift back to the PreK-8 model.
Today, the PreK-8 model is widely used by private schools to prepare young minds for high school, college, and life beyond. PreK-8 students are free to be children a little longer and ready to be leaders a little sooner. They’re not pressured by the presence of high school students to grow up too early. By the time they get to middle school, they are ready to grow into the heroes of their own stories—by taking ownership of their learning and acting as stewards of the school.
So, what is it about the PreK-8 model that sets students up for success when they enter high school? It comes down to a supportive environment, opportunities to lead, and a rich array of extracurricular activities.
A Supportive Environment
Kids should be kids for as long as possible. In a K-12 environment, students may be exposed to situations or material that are not age appropriate. This isn’t the case at a PreK-8 school where the tight knit community focuses on the aspects of education and personal growth that are essential for developing young minds.
Students in PreK-8 schools also benefit from growing in a consistent environment as they mature into pre-teenagers. When students return to school each year at a PreK-8 school, they return to a place they know and love with teachers and administrators who have known them for years. In this type of school system, students meet the challenges of aging with a confident self-assurance that is sadly missing in most middle schools.
Opportunities to Lead
In addition to supporting students academically, schools should also help students cultivate skills that will help them succeed later in life. Learning to lead is one of the most valuable skills students can learn in life so it’s important to find a school that teaches self-awareness, self-management, empathy, motivation, and social skills alongside academics. At a PreK-8 school, students have opportunities to explore, contribute, and lead through community service projects, student government positions, and more.
Leadership opportunities in a PreK-8 school can help students excel and stand out in high school. The personal growth and academic challenges that students experience during PreK-8 allows them to enter high school with the tools they need to be successful. The first year of high school can be intimidating but students who have had opportunities to lead will begin their high school journey with the confidence to stand up for themselves and for others.
Extracurricular Activities
PreK-8 schools provide students with plenty of ways to explore their interests, thrive in athletics, and take an active role in the school community. High school athletics and clubs can be quite competitive. Students who stay in a PreK-8 school get to play for fun a little longer without the fear of judgment from fans and parents. This gives students more time to truly explore their talents and develop confidence without comparing themselves to high school athletes twice their size. Children also have access to a variety of school clubs where they can explore special interests with like-minded peers. At a PreK-8 school, there’s a place for everyone.
The Bottom Line
Nationally, the PreK-8 model has a long history and an extraordinary track record of sending students to high school with strong leadership and academic skills. The process of applying for and transitioning to high school helps students prepare to apply to colleges and present themselves as well-rounded individuals. PreK-8 schools provide an environment where students are encouraged to grow into responsible young leaders who are prepared to take on the challenges of high school and college. Research shows that PreK-8 students perform better on the TAKS Reading and Math assessments compared to students enrolled in a K-12 model (Clark, 2013).
About Charlotte Preparatory School
Charlotte Preparatory School is a PreK-8 independent school in south Charlotte serving 400 students. Charlotte Prep empowers children to write their own story through our distinctive academic model, intentionally small size, and embracing community. Our PreK-8 structure is a research-proven model that celebrates every stage of childhood. Our students stay a step removed from the presence and pressures of high school, allowing them to be children a little longer and leaders a little sooner.
If you’re interested in learning more about Charlotte Prep, please visit our website.
Charlotte Preparatory School
212 Boyce Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 366-5994
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