Northfield High School Transfer Student Transfer Plan
Welcome Academy: Half-Day Orientation Session
Purpose
The Northfield High School Transfer Student Welcome Academy is designed to ensure that new transfer students feel welcomed, informed, supported, and connected to the Northfield community before beginning their academic journey. Through an engaging half-day orientation, students will learn about Northfield’s culture, expectations, academic policies, graduation requirements, available resources, and opportunities for involvement.
The Welcome Academy will also provide students with opportunities to build relationships with peers, connect with key staff members, and become familiar with the Northfield campus.
Date/Time/Location
August 12
8a-12p
Check-in at Building 2
Session Length
One Half-Day Session
Welcome Academy Objectives
By the end of the session, transfer students will:
Feel welcomed and connected to the Northfield High School community.
Understand Northfield’s values, culture, and school-wide expectations.
Become familiar with academic, attendance, behavior, and grading policies.
Understand Northfield’s graduation requirements.
Identify important staff members and student support resources.
Become familiar with key locations throughout the school.
Learn about extracurricular activities, athletics, clubs, and opportunities for involvement.
Build connections with other new students and student leaders.
Welcome Academy Agenda
1. Welcome to Northfield
Purpose: Create a welcoming and supportive environment while introducing students to the Northfield community.
Activities:
Welcome and introductions from school leadership, Deans, counselors, and key support staff.
Introduction to Northfield High School and the Nighthawk community.
Introduction to student ambassadors and student leadership.
Overview of the day’s agenda and expectations.
Icebreaker activities designed to help transfer students meet one another and begin building relationships.
2. The Northfield Way: Culture, Community, and Expectations
Purpose: Introduce students to Northfield’s values, school culture, and expectations for being a successful member of the community.
Topics:
Northfield’s values and community expectations.
School spirit, traditions, and Nighthawk pride.
The importance of belonging, respect, responsibility, and community engagement.
Academic expectations and student responsibilities.
Attendance expectations.
Student Handbook review, including key academic, behavioral, and school policies.
How students can access support when they need assistance.
3. Academic Success and Grading at Northfield
Purpose: Provide students with a clear understanding of Northfield’s academic expectations and grading practices.
Presentation led by: Dean, Counselor, or Academic Support Staff
Topics:
Academic expectations and strategies for success.
Understanding course schedules and graduation pathways.
Attendance and its connection to academic success.
How to communicate with teachers and seek academic support.
Available academic resources and intervention opportunities.
Grading at Northfield
At Northfield, grades are designed to reflect how well students understand and demonstrate the knowledge and skills being taught in each course.
Students should understand that:
Grades are based on demonstrated learning and mastery of academic standards, rather than simply completing or submitting assignments on time.
Students are assessed on specific learning standards, which serve as clear goals for what students are expected to know and be able to do.
Each standard is evaluated individually to provide a more accurate picture of student learning.
Grades are determined using the most consistent and most recent evidence of learning rather than averaging every score earned throughout the course.
Growth matters. If a student experiences difficulty early in the learning process but demonstrates improvement and stronger understanding over time, the student’s grade should reflect that progress.
4. Northfield Graduation Requirements
Purpose: Ensure students understand the academic and community-based requirements needed to graduate from Northfield High School.
Topics:
Overview of Northfield graduation requirements.
Required coursework and credit expectations.
Completion of two years of world language.
Completion of 30 hours of volunteer or community service.
Introduction to x2VOL and instructions for accessing and using the platform.
How students can locate volunteer opportunities and document completed service hours.
Opportunities to meet with counselors for individualized graduation and credit reviews.
5. Northfield Essentials: Technology, Fees, and Student Opportunities
Purpose: Help students understand important school procedures and learn how to become involved in the Northfield community.
Topics:
School fees and payment information.
School-issued technology and expectations for responsible use.
Accessing student accounts and important school platforms.
Athletics and eligibility requirements.
Clubs, activities, student organizations, and leadership opportunities.
Ways to participate in school events and become involved in the Northfield community.
Introduction to available student support services.
6. Guided Campus Tour
Purpose: Help students become comfortable navigating the Northfield campus and locating important resources.
Led by: Student ambassadors, senior students, or designated staff members
Tour locations may include:
Student classrooms and academic wings
Main office
Counseling office
Dean and student support offices
Library
Cafeteria
Gymnasium and athletic spaces
Health office
Restrooms
Technology support
Activity and club spaces
Important student service locations
Students will receive a Northfield campus map with important locations clearly identified.
Student ambassadors will answer questions throughout the tour and share practical tips for navigating the school and becoming involved in the Northfield community.
7. Questions, Connections, and Next Steps
Purpose: Provide students with an opportunity to ask questions, identify support contacts, and leave with a clear understanding of what to expect.
Activities:
Open question-and-answer session.
Review of key contacts and available student resources.
Introduction to assigned counselors, Deans, or designated support staff.
Distribution of welcome materials and important school information.
Completion of a brief student feedback or check-in form.
Closing welcome and encouragement from school leadership and student ambassadors.
Expected Outcomes
Following the Welcome Academy, transfer students should:
Feel welcomed and valued as members of the Northfield community.
Know where to go for academic, social, behavioral, and personal support.
Understand Northfield’s academic, attendance, grading, and behavioral expectations.
Understand key graduation requirements, including world language and volunteer service expectations.
Be able to navigate important areas of the school independently.
Know how to access technology, school resources, activities, athletics, and student organizations.
Have established initial connections with peers, student ambassadors, and school staff.
Ongoing Transition Support
Following the Welcome Academy, transfer students will receive continued support during their first several months at Northfield. Support may include:
Regular check-ins with a Dean, counselor, or designated staff member.
Academic and attendance progress monitoring.
Opportunities to connect with peer mentors or student ambassadors.
Assistance with joining clubs, athletics, activities, and student organizations.
Additional support with school navigation, technology, graduation planning, and access to resources.
Follow-up meetings as needed to address concerns and support a successful transition.
