Transition to High School

Eighth grade is an exciting time as students and families prepare for the transition from our preK-8 environment to secondary school. Sant Bani graduates are confident, know their strengths, can set personal goals, make good choices and are team players.

Students from Sant Bani do well in their hometown public schools, local private secondary schools and on occasion, private boarding schools. Our aim is to help students find a school that will provide them with challenges and opportunities to reach their personal goals, and their curriculum includes a year-long "Taking Flight" program (see below) to guide them in navigating their options. 

Sant Bani eighth graders have been accepted at the following secondary schools:

• New Hampton School
• Tilton School
• Proctor Academy
• Holderness School
• High Mowing School
• The Derryfield School
• Phillips Exeter Academy
• Mount Snow Academy
• Tabor Academy
• The Governor's Academy
• Emma Willard
• Chatham Hall
• The Madeira School
• Bishop Brady High School
• Concord Christian Academy
• Newfound Regional High School
• Winnisquam Regional High School
• Franklin High School
• Concord High School

Our Taking Flight transition program is three-fold:

Trimester One focuses on exploring school options and encouraging visitations. Students build leadership and collaboration skills by serving as members of the student government, creating and implementing an in-school service project, supervising daily Middle School cleaning jobs and facilitating our All-School weekly sharing. Class time is spent developing strategies, refining techniques and reinforcing content areas for test taking; we administer the PSAT 8/9 to all eighth graders. This is a good experience for students and should benefit them in the future, as this test is similar to the new SAT test often taken when applying to colleges. Information is provided on registering for SSAT tests as part of independent school applications.

Sant Bani invites representatives from independent secondary schools and local public schools to SBS in the fall. This is an opportunity for eighth grade students to hear about a wide range of educational opportunities and ask questions the application process, the visit, the interview, financial aid, athletics, etc. 

Trimester Two work centers on writing applications, crafting a written self-portrait, soliciting references and creating a digital portfolio. Taking advantage of essay review, incorporating feedback and participating in mock interviews is encouraged. SBS prepares a folder to send to each school to which a student is applying with transcripts, testing, school information, course descriptions and recommendations. 

Trimester Three emphasizes eighth graders designing and executing a Middle School service project to benefit the local community. Students act as team leaders creating a budget, planning a timeline and facilitating completion of the project. They also plan aspects of their class trip and graduation, which is a community celebration on the last day of school.