Easing the Transition from Middle School to High School

After seeing how popular our ‘Transition from Elementary to Middle School’ post was, we knew we had to tackle the next big leap: Middle School to High School. Maureen Wiseman, current school counselor at Hood River Valley High School, was kind enough to break it down for us.

This blog post focuses on high school in Hood River County, but I’d love to collaborate with fellow moms and writers to create similar guides for White Salmon, Trout Lake, and The Dalles. If you’re interested, let’s connect!

Hood River County has one public high school, Hood River Valley High School located at 1220 Indian Creek Rd, serving approximately 1130 students, according to the latest Hood River School District profiles.

To help incoming freshmen (and their families) feel more confident during this transition, Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) offers a range of programs and supports designed to ease them into this exciting new chapter.

Graduation Requirements: Know What’s Ahead

Understanding graduation requirements early helps families and students make informed choices about course selection and planning for the future.

Here is a snapshot of the Graduation Requirements on a current 9th graders transcript. 

A student's high school transcript will show:

• REQ = Required
• CMP = Completed
• DEF = Deficient

Preview Events for Incoming Freshmen

In May:

(these events have already happened this year) 

• Forecasting Visit – HRVHS counselors host an assembly for 8th graders at Wy'east MS and Hood River MS to inform students in selecting classes for freshman year. Some HRV seniors are present for a Q&A.
• CTE Fly Up Day – 8th graders visit HRVHS to learn more about classes and explore Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.
• Open House – Students and families are invited to an informational evening including:
  • Club and Athletic Fair
  • Mini-sessions on academic support, AP classes, and life as a 9th grader
  • Forecasting form submission
  • HRVHS School Counselors are available to answer any questions
  • Presentations are available in Spanish 

LINK Day (First Day for Freshmen Only)

Similar to our middle schools, HRVHS starts the school year with a special orientation day just for 9th graders called LINK Day.  9th graders and students new to HRVHS come to school on this day. 

• Held the day before upperclassmen return
• 9th graders are grouped with older LINK Crew student leaders and staff
• Activities include:
  • School tour and classroom orientation
  • Meeting teachers and staff
  • Getting familiar with classrooms and class transitions
     

Understanding the A/B Schedule + Semesters

• HRVHS uses an A/B schedule. This means students take one set of classes on “A” days and a different set on “B” days. Students have 8 classes and an advisory period listed on their schedule.
  • A Days = Periods 1–4
  • B Days = Periods 5–8
• The school runs on 2 semesters (unlike trimesters in middle school)
  • Semester courses = 0.5 credit
  • Year-long courses = 1.0 credit

Explore the Full List of Classes at HRVHS

• Want to see everything your student can take at HRVHS? The Academic Planning Guide includes a complete list of course offerings, prerequisites, and helpful details about AP classes, College Now, graduation requirements, and more.
• 🔗 View the full Academic Planning Guide and class list here
• 💡 Tip: Reviewing the guide together can help your student discover new interests and plan ahead for future years!

Week at a Glance + W.I.N. Time

For the 2024-2025 school year, this was the bell schedule for regular school days:

Monday

• Late start - 9:20AM start time
• Advisory - a regularly scheduled class where teachers meet with small groups of students to provide support and guidance. It's a time for checking in, building relationships, and addressing academic, social, or future planning topics. During advisory, students hear weekly announcements, occasionally participate in short school-wide lessons, and—importantly—schedule their WIN (What Individuals Need) time for the week.

Tuesday–Friday

• WIN = “What Individuals Need”
  • 30 minutes of student-selected, teacher-guided support
  • Options include:
    • Quiet study time
    • Test make-ups and corrections
    • Meet with teacher
    • Art, dance, yoga, club meetings, and more

💡 Parent Tip: Ask your student to share their WIN schedule every Monday evening.

Lockers, Passing Periods & School Supplies

Passing Periods

• Students have 5 minutes between each class.
• After 1st/5th period, there's a 10-minute break with grab-and-go snacks/second breakfast available in the cafeteria.
• During the first week of school, staff will be in the hallways helping new students find their way—no need to stress!

Backpacks & Lockers

• Backpacks are allowed and commonly used throughout the day. A good supportive backpack that comfortably carries a lot of weight is recommended, as most students prefer to not use a locker.
• Lockers are optional and can be:
  • Shared with a friend
  • Requested via a sign-up sheet in the counseling office

Suggested Supplies for families to purchase

• Pencils and pens
• Composition notebook (needed for most classes)
• A planner or calendar (if that helps your student stay organized)
• Backpack

💡 Teachers will let students know if specific supplies are needed for certain classes.
 If your student needs help getting supplies, please reach out to the counseling office—support is available.

Attendance & Tardiness

• Attendance is taken every period.
• An occasional tardy isn’t a big deal—but frequent tardies can add up and result in lunch detention and a student feeling behind and disconnected.
• If your student misses a class, you’ll receive a robo-call home.

💡 Want to stay on top of attendance? Bonus Tool: GradeWay App

For an even easier view of grades and attendance on your phone, download the GradeWay app from your app store.

• Log in using your student’s HAC credentials
   (Tip: their ID number usually starts with two zeroes)
• User-friendly and perfect for staying in the loop at a glance!

HAC App: Your Go-To for Progress Reports

The Home Access Center (HAC) app is a must-have tool for middle and high school parents. It gives you access to your student’s:

• Class schedule
• Listed assignments and point values
• Progress reports and grades
• Test scores
• Attendance and tardies

It’s one of the best ways to stay informed—just try not to check it too often!

Pro Tip: Check HAC on Thursdays

Many teachers recommend doing a quick review on Thursdays. That way, students still have the weekend to:

• Complete missing assignments
• Make test corrections
• Get organized before Monday
   

It’s a simple routine that supports accountability without being overwhelming.

Staying Connected: Communication Tools

Communication in high school may feel different from what you're used to. Direct updates from teachers tend to be less frequent than in earlier grades. Instead, information is often shared with students directly via Google Classroom, email, or in class announcements.

To stay connected as a parent or caregiver:

• Make open-ended conversations about school a regular habit.
• Ask about classes, assignments, or what they liked (or didn’t!) each day.

Follow up with school-wide communications and online tools.

*According to many parents communication from teachers and staff drops off in high school compared to middle school. Best way to stay connected - check HRVHS website and weekly principal emails. 

Key Communication Platforms

• HRVHS Website
   Visit https://hrvhs.hoodriver.k12.or.us/ for:
  • Daily announcements (scroll down the homepage)
• ParentSquare (Launching July 2025)
  This new district-wide tool will replace TalkingPoints, PeachJar, S’more, and Blackboard. Expect school-wide messages, event updates, and reminders—plus weekly principal messages—all in one place. We’ll be learning this new system together.
• Google Classroom + Email
   The primary way teachers communicate assignments, expectations, and class updates. Most teachers also hand out a syllabus at the beginning of each course outlining how and when to turn in work.
• HAC (Home Access Center) & GradeWay App
   These tools give you access to:
  • Class schedules
  • Grades and progress reports
  • Attendance and tardies
• Social Media
   Many sports teams, clubs, and the theater department maintain Instagram pages for events and updates. Encourage your student to follow the ones they’re involved in.

Reaching Students + Device Policy

• Phones/Apple Watches are not permitted during the day unless medically required. Please help your child be successful by not sending text messages during the school day.
• Students can contact families through the front office at any time
• Teach your student how to use their school email or request to call home from the office

Parent-Teacher Conferences

High school conferences follow a similar format to middle school, but with a more fast-paced, flexible setup to accommodate more students and families.

Here’s what to expect:

• Location: Held in the Commons (near the cafeteria), with each teacher at their own table
• Format: Brief, drop-in style conversations—often compared to "speed dating"
• Time: Meetings are short and offer a quick snapshot of your child’s progress
• Translation: Spanish-speaking translators are available on site

💬 Need more time? If you have a specific concern or need a deeper discussion, it’s best to email the teacher directly to set up a longer, private meeting.

🗣️ Pro Tip: Advocating for your child—and helping them learn to advocate for themselves—is one of the most valuable skills you can model. If something feels off, or your student needs extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sports, Musical, Clubs & Student Life

High School opens up a whole new world of opportunities—especially when it comes to sports, clubs, career pathways, and fine arts. Whether your child is eager to compete in school-sponsored athletics, try out a new hobby, or simply stay engaged after hours, there’s something for everyone. It is recommended that your student get involved to get the most in high school!

School Sports

Register online: http://hoodriver-or.finalforms.com
 Fee: $150 per sport / $300 annual cap
 Financial assistance available

Seasonal Offerings

• Fall: Volleyball, Football, Cross Country, Cheer, Water Polo, Soccer (Starts Aug 4 / Tryouts Aug 18)
• Winter: Basketball, Wrestling, Skiing (Alpine/Nordic), Snowboarding, Swimming, Cheer
• Spring: Track, Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Golf, Sailing 

⚠️ Cut sports: soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball - If your child is new to a sport or wants to try something without the pressure of making a team, steer toward non-cut sports like Tennis and Nordic Skiing. 

💡 Get your student’s physical done before school starts — it’s good for 2 years!

Parent Tip: If your student is considering a fall sport, it’s best to avoid planning trips or travel in August. Missing tryouts or early practices may mean they can’t participate—even if they make the team otherwise.

Music, Art & Drama at HRVHS

At Hood River Valley High School, students have rich opportunities to explore the arts and express their creativity through music, visual arts, and theater.

• Music
   Students can participate in band and choir, performing in school concerts and local or regional competitions. These ensembles build technical skill, collaboration, and confidence on stage.
• Visual Arts
   The art program invites students to experiment with a variety of media, including painting, drawing, ceramics, and photography. Student work is regularly showcased in school exhibits and community displays.
• Drama
   The drama program offers opportunities both on and off the stage—from acting and directing to costume design and set production. Students produce full-scale plays and musicals (like Mamma Mia!) that bring the school community together.

Fall Musical: Mamma Mia

• Tryouts: May 5–8 (already happened)
• Rehearsals: Daily doubles Aug 11–15, then M–Th after school until the show ends
  
  Parent Tip: If your student is considering a fall musical like sports, it’s best to avoid planning trips or travel in August. Missing or early practices may mean they can’t participate

Clubs

There seem to be a wide variety of clubs and activities to suit all interests. For those interested in leadership and service, they have student government. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students to pursue their passions, make new friends, and develop important life skills outside the classroom. Here is a list of all the clubs offered during the 2024/2025 school year that range from Computer Science Club to Speech and Debate and Spikeball. Interested in a career in business?  There is a business club doing some pretty cool stuff with it's own website here. 

Parent Tip: If your looking to get involved at the school the HRVHS Booster Club might be a good place to start.  HRVHS Boosters is a volunteer organization made up of parents that partner with the community and HRVHS to raise funds with the purpose of enhancing and supporting clubs, sports and activities for all students. 

​

Academic Support

• Tutoring Center: Located near the library with peer tutors and a staff coordinator
• Math Lab: Drop-in help available during the day in the tutoring center
• Teacher Help: Best accessed during WIN time
   

Student-Based Health Center (SBHC)

The Student-Based Health Center at HRVHS is run by One Community Health and provides convenient, on-campus care for students—right where they already are. By reducing common barriers like cost, transportation, and access, the SBHC makes it easier for students to get the care they need.

Services Offered

• Medical, dental, and mental health care
• Preventative care like checkups and vaccines
• Sports physicals
• Care for illness and minor injuries
• Mental health counseling
• Reproductive health education and support

Appointment Age Guidelines

• Mental health services: Students may self-schedule starting at age 14
• Medical services: Students may self-schedule starting at age 15

💡 Note: Students do not need to leave campus or miss large parts of the day to access these services.

📍 Learn more or schedule an appointment via the HRV Student-Based Health Center Info page

School Spirit & Getting Involved

From day one, HRVHS offers students plenty of ways to get involved and show school spirit. Whether it’s cheering at football games, supporting the school musical (Mamma Mia!), or heading to the pool to rally behind the water polo team, there’s something for everyone.

Homecoming Week

A few weeks into the school year, Homecoming events are announced! It’s one of the most spirited—and fun—weeks of the year, filled with:

• Class competitions
• Hall decorating
• Spirit dress-up days
• The legendary Air Guitar Pep Rally
   

No one regrets joining in—these events are about trying something new, making memories, and connecting with classmates. Encourage your student to step out of their comfort zone and take part!

Ways to Get Involved

• Attend sporting events (football, water polo, etc.)
• Support the arts by going to the school musical or performances
• Join Homecoming Week activities: hall decorating, spirit wear days, Air Guitar
• Explore clubs, leadership, or volunteering—there are opportunities for all interests

💡 Research consistently shows that students who are involved in extracurriculars have better social-emotional outcomes, improved attendance, and higher academic performance.
 Here’s a great summary of the research

Watch the spirit in action:

• 2024 Homecoming Week Highlights

• 2024 Air Guitar Pep Rally
  
   

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!

The transition from middle school to high school is a major milestone—often filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. At HRVHS, students step into a more challenging academic environment with increased expectations for independence, time management, and responsibility. Social circles expand, new friendships form, and students begin exploring their identities in meaningful ways.

Yes, the transition can feel overwhelming at first—but it also brings a fresh start and countless opportunities for growth. With open communication, steady encouragement, and a willingness to try new things, your student can thrive both academically and socially.

HRVHS is full of supportive staff, fun traditions, and programs designed to help students connect, succeed, and make the most of their high school experience.

We’re wishing you and your rising 9th grader a successful and exciting year ahead.

Go EAGLES!
 💬 Advice from the Class of 2025:
 “Say yes to things. You’ll meet people and figure out what you like faster.”