[Part III] Two years in: How the Class of 2023 is Continuing to Advocate for Themselves

Debbie Woo
Apr 29
5 min read

Here now is the third installment of our report on how our Class of 2023 is doing in high school!

Our first post shared the academic transition from middle school to high school. You can read the first post here.

Our second post share the social transition, and participation in extracurriculars. You can read that post here.

We recently caught up with seven students from the Marin Horizon Class of 2023 to hear about their transition to high school and how they’ve grown academically, socially, and personally since moving on.

Three of our alumni—Rocco, Tenzing, and Sidney—are now at Marin Academy in San Rafael, one – Shane – is attending The Branson School in Ross, and three – Payson, Piper, and Carlotta – are attending Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley.

As you’ve moved on from MHS, are you continuing to advocate for yourself? To use your voice?

Tenzing:

Well, it's funny that you mentioned that because those are very similar values to MA. I never even thought about whether or not I’m speaking up because MHS has made me very confident about sharing my answers, whether or not they're wrong, and taking creative risks. I felt incredibly well prepared for public presentations. I was actually just talking to Jesse [Pearson], who is teaching his debate unit, which prepped us in Middle School and made us super comfortable with public presentation. And now, that's something I just feel naturally really comfortable with in high school.

Carlotta:

I definitely think I have. I mean, especially since I’m in a bigger school with a lot of teachers and a lot of classes. I think for some teachers, especially at the beginning of the year, it took a good month or two for them to even remember my name. It’s not the same personal relationship that you have with your teachers [at MHS]. I miss that actually, a lot. So, I think I definitely had to advocate a lot for myself, like reaching out outside of class time – sending an email, or going during free periods to the teachers’ classrooms or office hours, telling them “you misgraded this” or “you forgot to put this in the grade book” or asking “can I retake a test?”

I decided to go to a public school because I wanted to be prepared for the realities of life. I would have less support there so I could learn to do it on my own and be ready for when I’m ready to go to college.

Piper:

A big thing that MHS taught you is advocating for yourself and building a relationship with your teachers. In high school, especially at Tam, going from a classroom of 10 of us to 45, finding your voice, and making connections with your teachers is a lot more difficult, but I feel more comfortable reaching out to my teachers and asking questions. I know from talking to Jesse [Pearson] and I know from talking to Mo [Poxon] that they’re there to help and to make sure you understand what you’re doing.

Shane:

Yeah, I definitely think that advocating for yourself is very important, and I think in Marin Horizon there were such good teacher / student relationships, which is another reason why I wanted to go to Branson. I think they have that, too, and I think that I was so used to talking to teachers and asking them for help and I think that I still do that today. We have office hours so I can just go meet with teachers. I think I've met with my history teacher a crazy amount this year, because it's my least favorite subject so I need a lot of help, and I feel like I have support for that. So I'm really happy.

Sidney:

Yeah, I think since I was at MHS for my whole life I was very close with all the teachers. I think that Marina Academy, although it's a bigger school, the teachers are very focused on each student and I've been able to go to any teacher if I'm confused or have a problem. We also have advisors and if a big situation were to occur where I needed intervention between a teacher, I would go to my advisor and talk to them, so I feel like I've been able to advocate for myself.

Class of 2023 Marin Horizon Graduation Photo, taken in June 2023

Is there any advice that you would give your seventh or eighth grade self now that you have the benefit of hindsight?

Carlotta:

High school can feel like a lot at first. It can be clique-y, so don’t expect it all to work out immediately. Try to find your people. Join clubs, or a sport, take every opportunity you can to meet new people. Go to all the dances (even if they’re boring), because there are a lot of people and it’s really easy to overlook some people and not see them. You’ll get to know them and they’re really cool.

Sidney:

Try to balance your academic and social life, and try not to get caught up in what others are doing when picking a high school. Try not to let your decision be influenced by where your friends are going because you’re going to branch out so much in high school; you're not gonna be the same person with the same interests.

And, like when transitioning into high school I would try to definitely stay on top of your work because it will be a big jump. It's definitely manageable if you get it done on time but I've definitely seen kids put it off and it piles up and then it can become a really big problem.

Rocco:

Be excited. I was sad to leave Marin Horizon, but be excited for what’s to come because you’ll find friends, people to hang out with. It’s part of life. MHS prepared me for making friends.

Payson:

Do some review before you take the math placement test. I forgot things from the start of 8th grade.

Tenzing:

Take advantage of all the opportunities, because there were so many, and I feel like I got the most of my experience [at MHS] - like all the clubs and activities. And I know some people who wish they had done more.

Piper:

Don’t be afraid even if it's a big environment to communicate with your teachers and to make new friends. Coming from a small school, obviously it’s scary, but don’t be afraid to jump into conversations. Do what’s best for you, even though you’re scared to do it.

Shane:

As far as when I was looking at high schools, I'd say stay very open because I originally thought I didn't wanna go to Branson. I think having an open mind also helps when you get to high school – having an open mind and being prepared to learn new things and have new expectations, new teachers, and a new community. You have to find ways to be excited for it, because once you do, you’ll enjoy it a lot.

Read more...

Part I: The Academic Journey

Part II: The Social Journey & Extracurriculars