STS Blog

What I Know For Sure: Our 8th Graders Are Ready For Anything

Starting in the spring of a student’s 7th-grade year at St. Thomas School, the conversation around high school begins. It’s a pivotal moment for both students and their families. As a parent of four STS alumni and the director of admissions, I’ve navigated this process many times. And while it may sound a bit silly, I always like to start these conversations by saying, “Rest assured, your student is going to high school.” It’s an obvious statement, of course, but in the midst of what can be a stressful process, it seems to make everyone exhale. The truth is, not only are they going to high school, but they’ll have a range of options.

One of the remarkable outcomes of graduating from St. Thomas School is that our students are exceptionally well-prepared to chart their own path toward the next chapter in their educational journey. The first meeting with parents in the spring serves as an introduction to the high school application process—how to navigate it, the timing, and how to support their child through it all. This sets the stage for a thoughtful and intentional fall. But the true magic of the process, for me, happens later—during the mock interviews with our 8th graders.

I’ll admit, when I first started holding these mock interviews, I was apprehensive. I expected the awkwardness of an unfamiliar 8th grader sitting across from me, both of us unsure of what to say, perhaps filling the silence with nervous laughter. I was convinced it might just end up being a staring contest between us. How wrong I was!

As soon as the first interview began, I realized how incredible our students are. They are STS students after all—why did I ever doubt them? Each conversation left me floored by their poise, their ability to articulate their thoughts, and their confidence in expressing who they are and what they’re looking for in a high school. These weren’t stiff, rehearsed answers. They were honest, introspective, and incredibly thoughtful. The more I spoke with each student, the more I saw the unique strengths that have been fostered here at STS: leadership, character, and confidence.

The mock interviews have quickly become a highlight of the admissions season for me. I get the privilege of hearing these students reflect on their journey, their hopes for the future, and the criteria that matter most to them in their next educational experience. Watching them prioritize their own needs and desires—whether that’s a particular academic program, school culture, or proximity to home—is like watching years of thoughtful education come to fruition. It’s clear that STS has shaped them into young adults who know how to make sound decisions, who lead themselves through the process, and who take ownership of their choices with a level of maturity beyond their years.

One of the most gratifying parts of the process is seeing students own the high school application process. Parents are there for support, of course, but these students are truly leading the way. It’s not surprising, though. These are STS students. They’ve been nurtured in an environment where their voices matter, where they are encouraged to think critically and independently, and where they’ve been given the tools to navigate challenges with grace and confidence.

I often think about how, at the start of this process, some students might feel nervous about applying to high school. They worry about interviews, test scores, or making the right choice. But as the process unfolds, I see their nerves transform into excitement. I watch them move through the application process with a sense of assurance. They know who they are, what they want, and how to present themselves authentically. They walk into interviews not as children looking for approval but as young adults ready to show the world what they’re capable of.

And they do this with such composure! Watching them graduate and step into their next chapter with their feet firmly planted, fully aware of what they want and need in their high school experience, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

So, to all the parents and students beginning this journey: trust the process. Your child is going to shine. They are going to have choices, and they are going to make the right choice for themselves. After all, they are STS students, and they are more than ready for this next step.