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Dear Parents,

Hello my name is Lamar Thomas I am the new transition coach here at Brooks Co High School.  The Transition Coach provides positive, high energy assistance to rising ninth graders and current ninth graders, individually and in groups, regarding secondary courses, schedules, attendance, post-secondary plans, and career choices.

The ninth grade is a pivotal year where students suddenly find themselves struggling to navigate large, impersonal, and competitive environments. This major transition year creates a “holding tank” otherwise known as the “ninth grade bulge” where some twenty five percent of students that fail the ninth grade are held for another year.

 I will do my best in assisting your child to make sure that they are not in that “holding tank”.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at lthomas@brooks.k12.ga.us.  My office is located at Brooks County High School and my cell phone number is 229-263-3032.

Here are some things you can do . . .

•  Help your student stay organized and manage their time carefully.

•  Encourage your student to join a club, team, or activity. Research shows that participation in after-school activities has a positive effect on overall achievement and attitude toward school as well as connecting students to an adult and encouraging new friendships

•  Establish a regular work time for students to complete homework AND study – there is a difference!

•  See that your student attends school regularly . Poor or irregular attendance is a key reason for failure.

•  Contact your student's teacher or counselor sooner rather than later if you have concerns.

Welcome to Mr Lamar Thomas's Webpage

What is 9th Grade Transition?

The 9th grade transition is the bridge between 8th grade and 10th grade. The program is geared toward providing a smooth successful transition from middle school to high school.

 Why Do We Need It?

9th grade students can easily fall between the cracks when they enter high school, and they often struggle their freshman year due to the difference in the expectations of students in middle school versus high school. According to the statistics, the average failure rate among high school freshmen is 20%. Research shows that when a student fails 9th grade, he/she has ONLY a 5% chance of graduating from high school.

Let’s apply that statistic to BCH’s Freshman: We have 169 freshmen students; 34 of them are expected to fail 9th grade. Our goal is for ALL students to pass thus leaving no one behind. This is our purpose and our goal.

What Support Do I have?

  • Contact our guidance counselors or Transition Coach to schedule a conference. A web site will be available for you and your parents to check and receive information.
  • Online reinforcements programs such as
  •  KeyTrain    www.keytrain.org
  • Study Island   www.studyisland.com/
  • GA411     www.gacollege411.org/
  • Mentoring programs and after school programs such as “Echoes”
  • Incentive program called SWAG (Students With Academic Greatness)
    • Swag is an elite group for 9th grade students to be in.
    • Students who meet the requirements will receive prizes such as T-Shirts, Gift Cards, Trips, Pizza Parties, etc.
    • Students will be selected by their performance on Attendance, Behavior, as well as Grades.

News and Events

Freshman 101 in September (Parents Welcomed)  Parent Social Following

Percy Chastang from South Health District Speaking Sept. 14 & Sept 28 @ 10:45