Ask The Experts: Why Are Middle School Students At The Ideal Age For Mentorship?

Q: Why are middle school students at the ideal age for mentorship?

A: “Middle school is the age that needs the most love oftentimes,” says Arianne Thomas, director of the Aspire mentorship program at Hathaway Brown. “They’re coming into their own and they’re getting thrown increasingly into adult situations that they have to deal with. They just are young enough that they still think adults can kind of be cool sometimes. They might not act like it, but they do want to take in that information. You can help kids identify their own abilities, which is huge, that they can name what they’re strong at. And I think just also embracing healthy, courageous risks — if you want to go join the soccer team, go try out for the soccer team.”