Last summer, Graland introduced its Great Start program to help students new to Graland’s Middle School begin with confidence in the fall, both academically and socially. Thirty fifth through eighth grade students came to campus several times each week throughout the summer to meet with Graland faculty member Carrie VonderHaar. They were assisted with their required summer work and any additional skills they needed to smoothly transition to Graland’s program.

During the final week of the Great Start program, students came to campus every day for two hours for a variety of team-building activities to help develop a supportive community of new students. Many of Graland’s Middle School faculty and a couple of current students came to offer their sincere welcomes and to share important information about what new students could expect. The week ended with current and new students gathering for pizza and kickball. By the end, the new students no longer felt new and were eager to begin at Graland.