It’s not unusual for high-schools students to discourage their parents from coming to school, but it’s important for parents to find ways to stay involved in their teen-agers’ education. A number of studies show that parent involvement is linked to success in the upper grades, just as it is in elementary school.

1. Read all information on school policies and curriculum carefully. Normally, schools send this home at the beginning of the school year.

2. Subscribe to the school email newsletter or join a school-to-parent or parent-to-parent network. If your school doesn’t have one, you can help start it. To find out how, read How School Mailing Lists Work by the Berkeley Parents Network.

3. Help your child turn his anxieties into positive action. He may not have told you he's nervous about the transition to a new school, but that doesn't mean he's not. Go over school rules and schedules together. Suggest that he and a classmate go to the school over summer vacation so they can learn the locations and names of buildings.

4. Attend school events and stay involved in decisions about what classes to take. Keeping up with college admissions requirements can help you help your child understand the long-term effects of his choices.

5. Once school starts, talk with your child about what happens at school every day. Sometimes a casual chat in the car or over an evening snack will help your child feel more comfortable about opening up than an interrogation right after he – or you – have just come home after a hard day. To avert dead ends to the conversation, avoid asking questions that will get you “yes” or “no” answers. “What’s the best/worst thing that happened at school today?” are good openers.

6. Listen to and share her worries. Listen to her reasons for any academic struggles and offer your help to improve the situation.

7. Get to know several teachers. Don't wait for a problem to talk to them.

8. Don’t forget about the guidance counselors. They can keep you informed about your child’s progress and behavior.

9. Encourage your child to explore new sports, hobbies or interests. Help him regard failure as a necessary part of learning and growing. It’s not unusual for students at this age to avoid new activities because, they reason, they can’t fail if they don’t try. But they also cut themselves off from chances to develop new interests and paths to success.

10. Be alert to signs of depression or anxiety and seek help.