The change of school setting, at any age, can have a profound effect on students, and it is vitally important that teachers, parents and other stakeholders take account of the potential advantages and disadvantages for learners.
One particular tension is the increase in responsibility that happens when students go to high school, combined with less supervision and less support. Students can easily confuse having the responsibility for getting to class and getting work done on their own with having the freedom of choice of whether to do it or not.
Allensworth, Elaine - Why Is Ninth Grade a Critical Time for Students? A Researcher Explains Gates Foundation