5 Essential Skills for Your Rising 8th Grader to Gain an Edge This Summer
- Bridget Welch
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 15
Summer break offers a rare chance to pause, reflect, and set the stage for meaningful growth. For rising 8th graders in the Chicago area, it's more than a vacation–it's an opportunity to build skills and habits that can shape success in the year ahead, from challenging coursework to the Chicago Public High School Admissions Test (HSAT) and/or the Catholic High Schools Entrance Exam (HSPT).
Rising 8th graders can boost their confidence and preparedness for the next school year by focusing on these five essential skills.
1. Reading Comprehension and Writing
Strong reading comprehension unlocks learning across all subjects. These months away from the classroom offer a "real-world opportunity" to explore more complex texts, talk about main ideas, and grow academic vocabulary.
Equally important is writing clearly and effectively. Whether crafting a story, a report, or a test essay, students benefit from practice with structure, grammar, and thoughtful expression. These skills support not only school success but also a lifelong love of language.
2. Math Foundations
8th grade math lays critical groundwork for high school and entrance exams like the High School Placement Test (HSPT) that will be administered at all local Catholic High Schools on December 6, 2025 and the High School Admissions Test (HSAT) that will be administer in October for all 8th graders planning to attend a CPS High School. Students need a solid grasp of key topics to solve problems with confidence and precision:
Numbers and Numeration
Measurements
Geometry
Algebra
Statistics and Probability
Building fluency in these areas strengthens problem-solving skills and prepares students to apply concepts flexibly in both coursework and testing. At Bloom & Wonder, our Blooming Minds, Math Wonders program is designed to make these skills second nature through expert, engaging instruction. New Math Wonders classes starting soon. Reach out at info@bloomandwondereducation.com for more information.
3. Strategies for Test-Taking
Test-taking requires students to show what they know clearly and confidently under timed conditions. Developing strong habits can reduce stress and improve performance, including:
Managing time across sections
Using strategic guessing and elimination techniques
Applying mental math for quicker answers
These strategies help students approach high-stakes exams with greater calm, control, and consistency. Our Small Group Pods and 1:1 Tutoring programs teach these methods in ways that build genuine confidence for test day.
4. Organization and Growth Mindset
High school entrance exams and advanced coursework demand strong personal organization and a resilient mindset. Students need to learn how to:
Keep notes, assignments, and study materials in order, both on paper and digitally
Plan and manage tasks across multiple subjects and deadlines
View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than obstacles
These skills help students handle the increased independence and expectations of 8th grade while laying a strong foundation for high school success. Practicing them now can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and approaching entrance exams with confidence and control. Our 1:1 Tutoring programs can focus on executive functioning skills such as time management, task initiation, and organization.
5. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
To excel academically, students need to go beyond recalling facts–they need to analyze information and apply what they know in new contexts. Critical thinking involves evaluating evidence, making logical connections, and tackling unfamiliar problems creatively.
Strengthening these abilities helps students move beyond memorization to deeper understanding. This level of preparation supports success on selective entrance exams and builds a solid foundation for high school learning.
Invest in Your Rising 8th Grader's Success This Summer
Preparing for high school entrance exams is one of the most important steps your rising 8th grader will take. Our expert-designed prep courses help students master the essential skills, strategies, and confidence they need to excel on selective tests like the HSPT and CPS HSAT.
Give your child every advantage for the challenges ahead.
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