HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The changes with transitioning into middle school and high school go beyond academics.

Navigating friendships also comes into play.

Parents may find your child’s friend group shifts as they are placed in different classes, make a sports team, or join a club.

Tracy Urian, a retired guidance counselor, said for a child these experiences may feel confusing, emotional, and overwhelming.

“Adolescence is a very hard time and change is hard for anybody, and when you’re in those set social circles, whether it’s through church, through school-- and then you’re facing something that’s quite different when you go to a middle school and/or high school because your classes change, your friendships change and it’s very hard,” Urian said.

Urian recommends that even if pare

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