MPR News with Angela Davis

How to parent through the transition to high school

Students move through school hallways and up a staircase
Students with signs lead incoming freshman to orientation meetings at Prior Lake High School.
Ben Hovland | MPR News 2022

Schools across Minnesota are starting the new school year. For families with a child entering high school, the transition can bring harder classes, changing friendships and new social pressures — along with more independence and opportunities to grow.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how parents can support teenagers through the transition into high school. They’ll discuss how to keep communication open, when to step in and step back, and how to recognize when a child may need additional support.

Two women posing for a portrait
Sharon Powell (left), an extension educator with the University of Minnesota, and Christine Paton (right), a guidance counselor at Minnehaha Academy, pose for a portrait at Minnesota Public Radio headquarters in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Nikhil Kumaran | MPR News

Guests:

  • Sharon Powell is an extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She develops resources to help families navigate major transitions.

  • Christine Paton is a guidance counselor at Minnehaha Academy, a private K-12 school in Minneapolis. She helps students with academic planning, personal growth, social and emotional well-being and preparation for life after high school.

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