Starting Fresh: Inviting New Freshman into the Upper School Maverick Family

High school is no joke. The transition from middle school to high school elapsing over the short summer months leads to an influx of work load, freedom, and need for responsibility. St. John’s and the class of 2028 welcome in a total of 62 new students eager to join the Maverick family this school year. 

To kick off their adventure into upper school, all freshmen gather for a two day technology-free retreat filled with fun, games, and bonding.

But how are these incoming upper school Mavericks adapting to life on campus? What challenges and help have they encountered along the way?

Freshman Patrick Toups entered St. John’s in middle school and reflects on the differences between the divisions. “The first week or so of upper school was kind of difficult because I had to balance all the sports and all the academics, you're more thrown in,” he reflects.

When asked for his favorite part of SJS upper school, he spoke about the opportunities that allow students of all interests and talents to strive. “There's a lot of options and a lot of freedom in what you can do at St. John’s, which is what I really like,” he states. 

Additionally, freshman and cross country runner Celina Zhao highlights the close-knit community at St. John’s. “Yes, it is academically hard, but aside from that, I feel like there's also a really strong sense of community, whether it's with your friends or with people in other grades, or in clubs or sports,” she says. 

She also feels “St. John’s does a really good job in guiding the seniors so that they'll take care of the freshmen and other underclassmen, which makes the St. John’s community really, really inclusive.”

St. John’s Girl’s Cross Country Team gathers before the race. Front row, from left: Amelia Paine, Celina Zhao, Tatiana Duque, Fiona Bodmann, Penelope Moore, Noa Shaw, Jennifer Lin, Saira Merchant, Mae Pearson; second row, from left: Grace Kozak, Sarah Clark, Kori Hagins, Annie Villa, Mila Craig, Avery Arredondo, Catherine Dick, Jackie Berzin, and Amanda Brantley.

For those who have been at St. John’s their whole lives, such as freshman Grace Kozak, the transition has been anticipated for years. “This [change] is just positive in almost every way to me,” she says, “I like the freedom of SJS high school, it really plays a role in happiness.”

But for the students joining the Maverick family in freshman year, the adjustment can be harder. Nevertheless, St. John’s offers abundant options for self-expression and integration for these students, easing their transitions as much as possible.

Freshman Nicholas Pryor joined St. John’s from River Oaks Baptist and performed in the One Acts during late September, something that has allowed him to find his place and form bonds. He says, “doing the One Acts has really helped me connect with other people, specifically those from other grades who I might not have classes with.”

Furthermore, freshman Tatiana Duque, incoming from Lanier, reflects on the environment of the upper school. “I feel like everybody here wants to strive to be better, so that kind of makes you push yourself even more,” she states. 

The St. John’s upper school is filled with passionate, skilled individuals, and the freshmen are ready to make an impact on the upper school and leave a perennial mark on their community!