Choosing the right middle school can be a difficult task for parents. Incoming MHS freshmen from Glenfield, Renaissance, and Buzz Aldrin were asked how their middle schools prepared them for high school- or left them wanting more.
Most freshmen from Glenfield and Renaissance say that they felt somewhat prepared but were looking for more.
Former Buzz Aldrin students report that they got the same amount of homework, if not more homework in middle school compared to high school, and former Buzz Aldrin students overall feel more ready for high school.
Some students complain that coming into high school, they receive much more homework compared to middle school. Is this really true? If so, which middle school gave students the least and most amount of homework?
Students from Glenfield and Renaissance say that they got around the same amount of homework compared to high school, but majority of the former Buzz Aldrin students say that they actually receive less homework in high school compared to middle school.
Some freshmen would agree that assignments become more difficult in high school, but that could depend if they felt challenged at their middle school.
Many former students from Renaissance and Buzz Aldrin say that they feel like the work from high school is at a similar level of difficulty as middle school work. Many former Glenfield students say that high school work is more challenging than their assignments in middle school.
“The work isn’t really difficult. It’s just like the time management. If you’re doing sports then it’s hard to manage your time.” said London Shemo, former Renaissance student.
The different middle schools in Montclair are known for having theirspecific focus. For example, Glenfield is the school that is focused on arts and performance, Buzz Aldrin focuses on math, athletics and visual arts, and Renaissance focuses on innovation and science. How does this reflect on students, and how does this push students to excel in different areas?
These students were asked which core subject they excel in the most in high school. The majority of former Glenfield students said that they excel in World Literature. Renaissance students say that they feel the strongest in biology, and most Buzz Aldrin students feel strongest in math. Students tend to excel in the subject that their middle school focuses on.
If you are interested in being strong in a specific subject, you should go to the school which specializes in it. For example, if you are interested in math, you should go to Buzz Aldrin, because it is the school that focuses on math.
