A Parent-approved roadmap
The summer before 9th grade is a mix of excitement, nerves, and that strange feeling that childhood is slipping away. As a parent, you might be wondering: Should I be doing more to get them ready? Should they already be thinking about college?
Take a deep breath. This summer is not about perfection. It’s about planting seeds.
In my work as both a professional counselor and a mom, I’ve helped hundreds of families navigate this exact stage. The transition to high school is one of the biggest academic and social shifts your child will experience. Here’s how to make the most of this summer so your teen starts strong… with confidence, not chaos.
Focus on Executive Function, Not College Admissions
You don’t need to rush the college conversation. Right now, it’s more important to help your student learn how to:
- Organize their time (try a simple paper planner or digital calendar)
- Break down tasks (use a checklist for something like summer reading)
- Handle distractions (practice phone-free study blocks)
- Advocate for themselves (roleplay how to ask a teacher for help)
🧠 Real-life example: Instead of just saying “you need to study,” have them pick a 20-minute task, set a timer, and reflect on how it went. This builds awareness and ownership. These are skills they’ll use for the next four years.
Ease Academic Anxiety with Light Skill Building
High school academics can feel intimidating, especially with terms like GPA, weighted classes, and transcripts floating around. Use this summer to demystify, not intensify:
- Read something daily, even just 15 minutes (graphic novels count)
- Brush up on math with free apps like Khan Academy or Prodigy
- Review syllabi if available for upcoming classes and talk about what to expect
- Practice writing with a journal, short stories, or letters to a friend
📚 Pain point I hear often: “My kid froze up during their first high school test.” That’s often a sign they’ve never practiced managing time on a longer exam. Try printing out a sample 20-question quiz and walk through it together with a time limit.
Strengthen Social Confidence in Low-Stakes Settings
Freshman year can be awkward, even for outgoing kids. Social skills are just as important as study skills this summer. Encourage:
- Group activities that aren’t overly competitive (youth theater, art classes, rec sports)
- Volunteering in a setting with peers (library helpers, animal shelters, VBS support)
- Low-pressure friend meetups, even just a Starbucks run or movie night
💬 For anxious or introverted kids, consider social scripting. Ask, “What’s one thing you could say if you don’t know anyone in your class?” Practicing a few go-to openers can reduce panic in those first weeks.
Explore Identity, Not Just Interests
This is a perfect time to ask open-ended questions that spark self-discovery. Try:
- “What makes you feel proud of yourself?”
- “What’s something new you’d like to try, just for fun?”
- “Is there a cause or topic you care about that you’d like to learn more about?”
These don’t need to tie into a future major or career. They help your teen start noticing their values, interests, and strengths. That will matter far more in the long run than any one GPA point.
🎨 Encourage them to:
- Start a vision board or journal
- Try a hobby just for joy (drawing, baking, coding, making playlists)
- Shadow a parent or family friend for a day if they’re curious about a job
Create a Realistic Fall Prep Plan
August sneaks up fast. Spend late July doing some gentle prep:
- Organize school supplies together
- Visit the school campus and map out their classes
- Review the daily bell schedule and lunch options
- Talk through a mock “day in the life”
Set expectations around:
- Screen time boundaries on school nights
- Bedtime routines (start adjusting sleep schedules now)
- Back-to-school jitters and normalize them. It’s okay to feel nervous and excited at once.
👟 Bonus tip: Do a trial run of the school commute. Whether that’s walking, carpooling, or riding the bus, reducing logistical unknowns helps lower anxiety.
What Not to Stress About Yet
Let’s clear up some common questions I get from rising 9th grade parents:
- Do we need to hire a tutor now? Probably not. Wait and see how the first few weeks go.
- Should they be studying for the SAT already? No. That comes later.
- What if they don’t know what they want to be? Totally normal. High school is about exploration.
Instead of obsessing over grades, focus on helping them feel seen, supported, and safe to try new things. That’s the best foundation for success.
Final Thoughts for Parents
You don’t need to turn your home into a training camp this summer. Think of yourself as a guide, not a micromanager. Your steady presence, curiosity, and encouragement will make more of a difference than any checklist.
🎁 Want a tool to keep things balanced?
Click here to grab my free “Summer Sanity Plan for Rising 9th Graders”—a one-page printable that blends light prep, social growth, and downtime.
