How easy is it to make friends if entering a new high school in 11th grade in NoVa?

[Anonymous]

How easy/hard do you think it would be for a girl to make new friends if starting in 11th grade at a high school where she doesn't already know anyone? Just speaking generally, how open are kids to expanding their friend circles at that age, to include new kids? She's open and friendly, and is generally well liked by people who meet her, but is also a little introverted and bookish. She's quite mature for her age too. She's not into playing sports or music, or going to big parties.

[Anonymous]

I did this when I was in 11th grade. ( was a foreign service kid). Frankly it was my hardest move.

I would have them get involved in activities and expect it to take time.
Don’t know where you are on drivers ed but make sure their are on track to get their license.
Join sports, especially no cut ones, clubs and volunteer. What really helped me was a part time job where I met other high schoolers.
Expect it to be bumpy and, depending on how extroverted they are, to take a while to feel adjusted.

It took me until senior year to find the right group of friends.

[Anonymous]

You can also try asking on the VA schools forum if you haven't, or on the Fairfax County schools forum: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/forums/show/83.page

[Anonymous]

My daughter is going into 11th and when I asked her if she was bummed out she doesn’t have any of her good friends in any of her classes she said no and that it was kinda more fun to show up the first 2 weeks and make new friends in class. She’s secure in her current friendships and always up for meeting new people.

If anything, being new is more of an advantage. They don’t have any of the social baggage that comes from being known as a part of a particular friend group (so people won’t talk to them bc they assume they are a certain way or that they already have friends).

[Anonymous]

If she joins activities, she will likely be fine. Otherwise, maybe not.

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally, I made all new friends Junior year.

[Anonymous]

Have her join as many clubs/activities as possible. That's the best way to meet people.