From Hawkins to Hallways: What Stranger Things Taught Me About Transitioning Sixth Graders to Middle School
By Dr. Nicole Paxton, Principal at Mountain Vista Community School
Transitioning sixth graders into middle school is one of the most critical, yet often underestimated, parts of building a strong secondary experience. How students enter shapes how they engage—academically, socially, and emotionally. Surprisingly, I have found that one of the most effective ways to think about this transition is through the lens of the hit show Stranger Things. Beneath the sci-fi suspense is a story about navigating change, forming community, and finding your place in an unfamiliar world. Sixth graders who participated in structured transition programs (including orientation, peer mentoring, and early relationship-building activities) showed higher levels of school belonging and lower levels of stress and absenteeism in their first semester, according to Akos and Galassi (2004).
Here are a few tips on how school leaders can borrow Stranger Things-style storytelling to build systems that support students as they step into the “Upside (Middle School) World.”
1. Start with Summer: Lay the Groundwork Before the First Bell Rings
Stranger Things Parallel: The Calm Before the Storm
Summer check-ins, welcome letters, or informal campus visits help break the ice early. The goal? Reduce anxiety, build familiarity, and give students a “soft opening” before the school year begins. A short one-on-one meeting or a small group welcome session can go a long way toward helping students feel seen—and excited.
2. Host a Back-to-School Night That Actually Orients
Parallel: Entering the Lab, Peeking into the Unknown
This is not just about handing out schedules. Make your event hands-on. Let students walk their routes, open lockers, and meet key staff (counselors, APs, front office). Turn the evening into an opportunity to demystify middle school life—and include activities that help families feel equally informed and supported.
3. Build a Structured First Day Orientation
Parallel: Eleven Navigating the Real World for the First Time
Design a Day 1 experience that puts connection over content. Think of it like training before the mission: teach the basics—schedules, class changes, lunch routines, and expectations—then offer time for team-building and low-stakes relationship building. Pair students with a staff “go-to adult” or homeroom/advisory teacher they can turn to when things feel overwhelming.
4. End the First Week with Energy
Parallel: The Hawkins Crew Gathers to Face the Challenge
By the end of week one, students are processing a whirlwind of emotions. A “Hype Assembly” or Friday Spirit celebration can help shift the energy from survival to spirit. Celebrate wins, highlight sixth grade voices, and remind them: they are part of something bigger. It is an exciting time to introduce school values or launch incentive systems.
"When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they show up not just in body, but in spirit." — Unknown
5. Leverage Peer Mentors—The Steve Harrington Effect
Parallel: Big Kids with Big Hearts
One of the most powerful assets you have are eighth grade students! When structured intentionally, older students can become champions for your sixth graders—answering questions, walking them to class, and modeling kindness. Launch a mentorship program by the end of the first quarter, and you will notice students start looking to each other—not just adults—for support and inclusion. Research published in Middle School Journal found that structured cross-age mentoring programs—especially those led by older students—can lead to improved confidence, stronger peer relationships, and fewer behavioral referrals among sixth graders, according to Karcher (2009).
6. Track Progress and Celebrate Growth by Quarter One’s End
Parallel: From Stranger to Stronger
By the end of the first quarter, your sixth graders should feel like middle schoolers—not visitors. Build in reflection moments, celebrate milestones, and use data (attendance, behavior, engagement) to identify who still needs support. The goal: make sure every student has “found their party” and is gaining the confidence to keep leveling up.
"Data should be used not as a hammer, but as a flashlight to illuminate what’s working and what needs attention." — Doug Reeves
Final Thoughts: The Upside-Down Does Not Have to Be Scary
Middle school will always feel like a leap—but with intentional design, community connection, and a little creativity, administrators can make the transition less about fear and more about opportunity. So maybe we cannot give every sixth grader superpowers. But we can build systems that help them feel powerful.
Looking to build your own transition plan? Start with these six checkpoints, borrow a few ideas from Hawkins, and do not underestimate the impact of how students enter your school. The first chapter of their middle school story matters more than we think!
References
Akos, P., & Galassi, J. P. (2004). Middle and high school transitions as viewed by students, parents, and teachers. Journal of Educational Research, 98(1), 20–30. https://doi.org/10.3200/JOER.98.1.20-30
Karcher, M. J. (2009). Increases in connectedness and academic achievement through cross-age mentoring. Middle School Journal, 40(5), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/00940771.2009.11495588
