Social Concerns of Incoming High School Families. As students transition to high school, they often experience increased independence from their parents and families (Neild, 2009). Social concerns include “peer conformity” which “peak[s] at ninth grade” (Cauley & Jovanovich, 2006, p. 16). Ninth graders exhibit an elevated sense of self and need for peer acceptance, along with physical and hormonal changes(Cauley & Jovanovich, 2006). The larger school environment may have many students feeling alienated and anonymous amongst their peers, especially since new relationships are formed and old friendships are tested (Neild, 2009). Additionally, some students are concerned the relationships and support from their teachers, since less daily contact
