By Angel ’27
After receiving my acceptance letter in March, I was overjoyed. Over the summer, as August was creeping closer, I was eagerly anticipating my transition into a new school. But in the back of my mind, a question about how I’d be able to adjust to the social environment remained. That fall, I would be with students who have attended the same school since the seventh grade. I’m sure many other incoming students and families have the same concerns about fitting in and adjusting. Long story short, there is no need to worry.
The social environment at HW is very welcoming. The school provides multiple opportunities for socialization, including a meet-up for new 9th graders before summer break, and a “Fast Start” orientation where students simulate a real day at HW with teachers and peers. Not only that, the social spaces at HW enable new students to make friends with others quickly. HW has a warm and encouraging environment, and HW students also exhibit those qualities. Areas like the lockers, Horn Commons, and the ninth grade student lounge are all places where students can socialize with their peers and form new relationships. Everyone is willing to make new friends, and will be happy to help out whenever possible.
Simultaneously, many worry about the academic transition once new ninth graders get to HW. An adjustment period inevitably occurs, but the majority of students eventually become academically successful using numerous resources, including the library’s learning center, and meetings with their teachers. As a new ninth grader, I found it very easy to schedule a meeting with a teacher; every one of my teachers would have their schedule posted in their classrooms, indicating which periods they were free. This way, I could either schedule a formal meeting with them, or just walk in whenever I wanted to. Most teachers are excited to help out their students whenever they are free, and utilizing that aspect helped me adjust to the rigorous academic environment.
All in all, as daunting as it sounds, being a new ninth grader at HW is not scary at all. Friends are easy to make, and the academics are easy to get accustomed to. New students have nothing to worry about; their new friends and faculty will be there to support them all along their journey.
