Transitioning to Middle School



Students Speak - Transitioning to Deer Creek


School Visits

Each Spring, incoming 6th graders have an opportunity to visit Deer Creek during the school day to learn more about the school and tour the building – an opportunity to see things when students are here and get a feeling for what the school environment is like on a school day. Visits are scheduled with our feeder schools Stony Creek and Ute Meadows, and choice-enrolled students are invited to attend as well.

New Beginnings

New Beginnings is a middle school transition program in August offered to all incoming students. Designed to help students familiarize themselves with Deer Creek and the middle school experience, New Beginnings includes activities that help students meet classmates and make new friends, get to know the school layout, practice using their lockers, find their classrooms, and take some of the stress and anxiety out of the first day of school.

Check back for Information about the 2024-25 school year New Beginnings dates.


Orientation Day - August 2024
  • The first day of school for all students will be Wednesday, August 14.
  • 6th grade students will attend a half-day orientation.
  • Orientation day includes meeting with Advisement teachers, locker setup, visiting classes and lunch. The half-day orientation gives 6th graders a chance to learn more about the building and their class locations with less hallway traffic and fewer students at one time.

Counselors

Our counselors play an important role in the transition to middle school.  Acting as a student advocate and support, the counselor assigned to the incoming class of 6th graders will stay with them through their three years at Deer Creek, building a long-term relationship that supports students academically, socially, and emotionally.


The Deer Creek Counseling Team

Mentoring Program (Mountain Guides)

The 8th grade Mountain Guides are a group of student volunteers who work with our counselors to support a welcoming environment at Deer Creek. The goal of this program is to help the incoming 6th graders acclimate to middle school while having strong support from members of the graduating class. Mountain Guides are trained on leadership activities that they run with 6th graders during Base Camp every other week. They also work one-on-one with many of those students to help with organization and study skills. Mountain Guides are also involved in 5th grade visits, 6th grade orientation, and school service projects. 

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