Every year new freshmen walk into high school not knowing what to expect. The jump from middle school to high school could be difficult for many students. Teachers and administrators at Greeley West High School say this change can take time for students to understand.

Assistant Principal Ms. Amanda Jones-Weiss explained that freshmen often struggle because high school is very different from middle school. “It’s a really big transition,” she said.

In middle school, students may not feel like their grades matter as much. In high school, however, every class counts toward graduation credits.

Another challenge is the size of the school. At Greeley West there are around 2,000 students. Many freshmen come from smaller middle schools, so being around so many people can feel overwhelming. Freshmen are also around older students who may already be 18 years old. This can be intimidating for younger students who are only 14.

English teacher Mr. Colin Shaha said freshmen are often still learning responsibility. High school gives students more freedom than middle school, and some students need time to learn how to handle that freedom. Because of this, some freshmen get in trouble while they are adjusting.

However, many students grow and change over time. “A lot of it has to do with maturity,” Shaha explained.

As students get older, they gain more life experience and learn from their mistakes. Teachers and staff try to help students learn from problems instead of just punishing them.

School leaders say most freshmen eventually find their place by the time they become seniors.