Program prepares soon-to-be freshmen for high school

Entering high school as a freshman can be an intimidating thought. That’s why Hutchinson High School is in its second year of offering High School 101, a 60-hour introduction to the new environment.

Students only began coming to the high school Monday, but already many of them are saying they’re ready for ninth grade.

“It gives them a real good taste of what high school is like,” said one of the teachers, Val Grand.

She’s teaching the incoming freshmen how to read a textbook and how to read a novel.

“We’re basically learning reading strategies,” she said.

Patience Duscher is grateful for another thing she’s learning in the course.

“It helps us get better study skills,” she said.

Grand’s students are also learning a bit about American history, the three branches of government and the Constitution.

“When you come next year as freshmen, you are going to have a lot of good information on social studies,” she told the class.

For the full story, check out the Thursday, June 19 print edition of the Leader.

(Lesley Christianson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader.)
christianson@hutchinsonleader.com