Checking Out of LP and Checking In to Middle School: Reflections from the Transition

Inevitably, every BISC-LP family reaches the moment when it’s time to “check out” of Lincoln Park and “check in” to middle school at our South Loop campus. For our family, this milestone marks the culmination of ten years between our two boys. And while navigating the upper primary years can feel like its own kind of adventure, the leap into middle school requires an entirely new balance—supporting from afar, stepping back just enough, and trusting that they’ll grow into their next chapter.

Middle schoolers rarely say exactly what they’re thinking or feeling. One minute they need you, the next they absolutely do not, and somewhere in between they’re dropping slang that changes hourly. Making sure they land in a space that supports who they are—and who they’re becoming—is critical. And trust me, as someone squarely in the thick of it, the only constant is change.

I knew we had officially reached the middle school mindset when my eldest announced he wanted to start a podcast dedicated entirely to moments when I’ve been “cringy.” To be fair, some of those moments were very intentional—parenting wins look different in this chapter, often equal parts hysterical and embarrassing for everyone involved.

A Few Things I’ve Learned So Far

Advisors: The Middle School Support System

As BISC parents, we are fortunate to have a secondary program built with these developmental needs in mind. Beginning in middle school, every student is paired with an advisor—a steady, familiar adult who sees them twice a day: once before first period and again after lunch before the final period.

These teachers are the constants. They’re the ones who witness the mood swings, observe friendship dynamics, encourage academic habits, and serve as sounding boards for everything from social worries to organizational struggles. As we begin stepping back, it’s incredibly comforting to know someone is stepping forward to support, guide, and champion them.

Back to the Beginning

When our middle schoolers start Year 7 at South Loop, they arrive as the former “top dogs” of Lincoln Park—confident, knowledgeable, ready to take on the world. But soon they’re navigating:

It’s humbling in the best way, giving them space to be vulnerable, curious, and open to guidance. The first few weeks are intentionally slow and supportive: orientation, questions, repetition of expectations, and reassurance. We meet them where they are—and walk with them as they find their footing.

Core Middle School Memories

What would middle school be without a series of unforgettable firsts? Ones we still remember, and ones our students add to daily:

South Loop does a wonderful job making school about the whole student experience—not just academics. Middle schoolers choose their own clubs or even create new ones. Gone are the days of registration windows and ranking preferences. Instead, it’s a time to explore independence, follow friendships, try new things, and change their minds freely.

In the End: Show Up (Even If From a Distance)

Raising a middle schooler isn’t about having the perfect answers. It’s about showing up—consistently, calmly, and with a sense of humor. Sometimes that means being physically distant but emotionally present. Trust their teachers. Lean on the advisors. Know that the chaos is part of the growth.

These years are messy, stretching, heartwarming, and surprisingly hilarious—and yes, according to my eldest, cringy. We don’t yet have ten years of secondary school experience under our belt, but we’re confident this next chapter will be just as formative and meaningful as our time at Lincoln Park.

Erin Woodhams

Parent of a Year 7 & Year 8

Director of Marketing, Admissions & Communications at BISC Lincoln Park & BISC South Loop