Transitions

In the Lebanon School District, we are committed to providing a consistent, transparent, and family-centered transition process that supports students and families as they move from elementary school through middle school and high school. In the menu below, you will find details of the timely, predictable communication and opportunities for engagement we provide throughout transitions between grades and schools.

We believe this information will help reduce student and family anxiety during key transitions, increase your understanding of academic pathways and scheduling processes, and continue to build relationships between students, families, staff, and our schools.

This framework grew out of the Lebanon School District's Strategic Plan, and supports our strategic goals by strengthening Family and Community Partnerships, supporting student belonging, increasing communication and transparency, and helping students become effective communicators, resilient individuals, critical thinkers, and responsible local and global citizens.

As always, if you have any questions or need any additional support during these times of transition, please do not hesitate to reach out to the LHS administration.

LHS Transitions

Grade 8 to Grade 9

Timeframe	Communication/Activity	Key Information	Point(s) of Contact
August	Popsicles on the Playground	Building open for tours and informal welcome event	LMS Administration, PTO
August	Back-to-School Mailing	Final Forms information; conference expectations; co-curriculars, clubs, and athletics	LMS Principal, LHS Counseling Department, Administrative Assistant
October	Open House	Meet teachers; student showcases; LMS activities, clubs, and athletics information tables	LMS Administration, Coaches, Club Advisors
February	LHS Transition Letter	Sent to LMS and Plainfield families; LHS course selection process; Program of Studies; registration timeline; placement process; graduation requirements; links to resources	LHS Counseling Department, LMS Principal
February	Science Placement Testing	8th grade students take a brief test, which long with teacher recommendations and middle school science grades, helps in science placement at LHS	LMS Science Department, LHS Counselors
February-March	LHS Registration Process	Counselor visits; course recommendations shared; ALMA registration portal open; family support sessions	LHS Counseling Department
March	8th Grade Parent Letter	Introductory letter from LHS with information about class registration and a video providing an overview of LHS staff and processes	LHS Principal
April	LHS Family Night	Meet administrators, counselors, teachers, coaches, and club advisors; review academic opportunities and expectations	LHS Administration, Counseling Department
May	Transition Updates	Development timeline; final reminders and frequently asked questions	LHS Counseling Department
June	LHS Step-Up Day	Students visit LHS, meet teachers, explore the building, and learn routines and expectations	LHS Administration, Counselors, Student Leaders
June	8th Grade Recognition Ceremony	Celebrate completion of middle school and recognize student accomplishments	LMS Administration, Grade 8 Team

Grade 9 to Grade 10

Throughout high school, students should track and document their extracurricular participation and all academic and extracurricular achievements/awards/honors, employment, and volunteer experiences to help with resume development and post-graduation plans.

Timeframe	Communication/Activity	Key Information	Points(s) of Contact
August	Summer Mailing	LHS math, science, and world language pathways; LHS opportunities; Final Forms information; conference expectations; LHS Program of Studies and Handbook links; co-curriculars, clubs, and athletics	LHS Principal
Late August	9th Grade Orientation	Introduce students to LHS, review expectations, schedules, supports, and technology	Administration, School Counselors, Grade 9 Teachers
Early September	9th Grade Hike	Build community and foster relationships among students and staff	Administration, School Counselors, Grade 9 Team
September-January	9th Grade Counselor Check-ins	Meet individually with students to discuss progress, concerns, and supports	School Counselors
January/February	Take Flight Application and Selection Process	Students interested in aviation/engineering should meet with their counselors to see if Take Flight would fit in their schedules	Students, School Counselors
February	Course Recommendation Meetings	Teachers discuss academic progress and make recommendations for sophomore-year courses	Teachers, School Counselors
Early March	Early College & Career Planning Webinar (Granite Edvance)	Provide families with information about college, career, and financial planning	School Counselors, Granite Edvance
March	Course Selection in Alma	Students select courses for the following school year with guidance as needed	Students, Families, School Counselors
Late April/Early March	PSAT 8/9 Administration	Provide college-readiness assessment experience and academic feedback	School Counselors, Testing Coordinator, Administration
Late May	Sophomore Year Schedules Released	Allow students and families to review schedules and make adjustments if needed	School Counselors, Administration
June-July	Summer School (if needed)	Credit recovery for students who need to make up competencies	LHS Summer School Principal

Grade 10 to Grade 11

Throughout high school, students should track and document their extracurricular participation and all academic and extracurricular achievements/awards/honors, employment, and volunteer experiences to help with resume development and post-graduation plans.

Timeframe	Communication/Activity	Key Information	Point(s) of Contact
Throughout Sophomore Year	Maintain Strong Academic Performance	Continue building a strong GPA and academic foundation	Students, Teachers, Families
September	Mini College Fair	Representatives from New Hampshire colleges visit LHS	School Counselors
November	Introduction to Hartford Area Career & Technical Center	Students learn about the programs and application process for HACTC	Students, School Counselors
December	HACTC Tours	Students interested in attending HACTC can sign up for tours	Students, School Counselors
January-February	Junior Year Course Planning	Select challenging courses aligned with future goals while maintaining balance	Students, School Counselors, Teachers, Families
January-February	Take Flight Application and Selection Process	Students interested in aviation/engineering should meet with their counselors to see if Take Flight would fit in their schedules	Students, School Counselors
February–March	Scoir Career Interest & PrinciplesYou Assessments	Explore strengths, interests, and career pathways through Scoir assessments. Parents will receive an invitation to Scoir	Students, Teen Health & Wellness Teachers, School Counselors
February-March	College & Career Exploration in Scoir	Use Scoir Discover tools to explore colleges, careers, and post-secondary options	Students, School Counselors
February-March	Review College Scattergrams in Scoir	Understand admissions trends and compare academic profiles with past applicants	Students, School Counselors
March	Course Selection in Alma	Select junior year courses and review graduation requirements and pathways	Students, School Counselors, Families
Late March	LHS Job/Career Fair	Numerous businesses and organizations throughout the Upper Valley send representatives to LHS with information on summer jobs and career pathways	School Counselors
April 1	PSAT 10 Administration	Prepare for the SAT and identify academic strengths and growth areas	School Counselors, Testing Coordinator, Administration
Throughout the Year	College Campus Visits	Explore a variety of colleges and campus environments in person or virtually	Students, Families
April Vacation	College Exploration Opportunities	Visit campuses while classes are in session and students are on campus	Students, Families
Throughout the Year	Co-Curricular Participation	Engage in athletics, clubs, arts, leadership, and service opportunities	Students, Advisors, Coaches
May–June	Summer Planning	Plan internships, jobs, volunteer work, enrichment opportunities, and college visits	Students, Families, School Counselors
June-July	Summer School (if needed)	Credit recovery for students who need to make up competencies	LHS Summer School Principal

Grade 11 to Grade 12

Throughout high school, students should track and document their extracurricular participation and all academic and extracurricular achievements/awards/honors, employment, and volunteer experiences to help with resume development and post-graduation plans.

Timeframe	Communication/Activity	Key Information	Point(s) of Contact
Fall	Meet with College Admissions Representatives	Learn about colleges and admissions opportunities through visits hosted at LHS	Students, School Counselors, College Representatives
October	Digital PSAT 11/NMSQT	Prepare for college admissions testing and National Merit Scholarship consideration	Students, School Counselors, Testing Coordinator
Throughout Junior Year	Maintain Strong Academic Performance	Junior year is the final year that contributes to the GPA on the high school transcript	Students, Teachers, Families
Throughout Junior Year	Visits from Military Recruiters	Recruiters visit LHS periodically throughout the school year, and students can meet with them during their lunch period	Students
December-January	Junior Conference	Meet with a school counselor to discuss post-secondary plans, review PSAT results, and develop a college and career readiness plan	Students, School Counselors
Fall-Winter	College Search Using Scoir	Research colleges and build a list of prospective schools using Scoir	Students, School Counselors
Fall-Winter	SAT Preparation with Bluebook	Utilize personalized SAT preparation resources through Bluebook	Students
January-February	Application and Selection Process for Take Flight and STEM Externship	Students interested in aviation/engineering or STEM fields should meet with their counselors to see if Take Flight or the STEM Externship would fit in their schedules	Students, School Counselors
February	Junior College Parent Night Webinar	Granite Edvance joins the LHS Counselors to provide information on college research and application process	School Counselors
Spring	Refine College and Career Plans	Continue working with counselors to narrow college options or discuss career training pathways	Students, School Counselors
April	All-School Digital SAT	Complete the SAT assessment used for college admissions consideration	Students, School Counselors, Testing Coordinator
Throughout the Year	Opportunities for SAT Retest	Students who want to retake the SAT can sign up through their College Board account to take the test, offered approximately once a month on Saturdays at LHS	Students, School Counselors
Spring	TEAS Consideration for Nursing Pathways	Students interested in nursing evaluate whether TEAS testing is required for future programs	Students, School Counselors
Spring	College Visits	Visit prospective colleges and universities in person or virtually	Students, Families
Late March	Job/Career Fair	Numerous businesses and organizations throughout the Upper Valley send representatives to LHS with information on summer jobs and career pathways	School Counselors
March-April	Senior Course Registration	Select rigorous senior courses that align with future goals and interests	Students, School Counselors, Families
Spring	Recommendation Letter Planning	Identify teachers for letters of recommendation and discuss future requests by the end of the year	Students, Teachers
Late May	Summer to-do list	School counselors send a list of college application tasks they can complete over the summer	Students, School Counselors
May-June	Finish Strong Academically	Maintain strong academic performance through the end of junior year	Students, Teachers, Families
June-July	Summer School (if necessary)	Credit recovery for students who need to make up competencies	LHS Summer School Principal

Grade 12

Throughout high school, students should track and document their extracurricular participation and all academic and extracurricular achievements, employment, and volunteer experiences to help with resume development and post-graduation plans.

Timeframe	Communication/Activity	Key Information	Point(s) of Contact
August-September	Finalize Post-Grad Plan List	Enter senior year with a well-developed list of colleges in Scoir,, career programs, military, or post-secondary options	Students, Families, School Counselors
September	Senior Questionnaire / Complete CommonApp applications/ Resume Completion	Complete senior questionnaire or update resume in Scoir to assist counselors with recommendation letters	Students, School Counselors
September-October	Senior Planning Conference	Meet with a school counselor to finalize application and post-secondary plans	Students, School Counselors
Fall	SAT Retesting (Optional)	Improve SAT scores if desired and register through College Board for a Saturday administration	Students, Families
Fall	Send SAT Scores to Colleges	Submit official SAT scores to colleges that require them before application deadlines	Students, Families
Fall	College Visits	Visit campuses to confirm college fit and make informed enrollment decisions	Students, Families
October	Apply NH Day	Free applications available for New Hampshire schools	Students, School Counselors
November	Early Decision/Action Deadline	Depending on the school, early application deadlines are in early-to-mid-November	Students, School Counselors
Fall-Winter	Forms Night/FAFSA and CSS Profile Completion	Complete financial aid applications required by colleges and universities	Students, Families, School Counselors
Fall-Winter	Meet with College Representatives	Attend LHS visits or virtual appointments to learn about institutions and demonstrate interest	Students, School Counselors, College Representatives
Fall-Winter	College Applications	Complete Common Application and/or institution-specific applications.	Students, School Counselors, Families
Fall-Winter	College Essay Development	Draft, revise, and finalize personal essays for applications	Students, English Teachers, School Counselors
Quarter 1 & Mid-Year	Maintain Strong Academic Performance	Colleges may request first quarter and mid-year grades before admissions decisions are finalized	Students, Teachers
January-March	Scholarship and Financial Aid Applications	Apply for scholarships and ensure all financial aid materials are submitted by deadlines	Students, Families, School Counselors
Throughout Senior Year	Ongoing Counselor Communication	Stay in close contact with counselors regarding applications, decisions, and next steps	Students, School Counselors
March-April	Review Admissions and Financial Aid Offers	Compare admissions decisions and financial aid packages before making a final choice	Students, Families
May-June	Finish Senior Year Strong	Maintain academic performance and fulfill graduation requirements. Final transcripts will be sent to the selected institution	Students, Teachers, School Counselors