Student's Grades Go down in Junior High

My daughter, a seventh-grader, has always brought home good report cards. We thought this would continue in junior high because she said she was doing well, and the papers she brought home seemed fine. We were absolutely stunned when her recent report card arrived with very poor grades. I tried calling her counselor several times but received no replies. My daughter was so upset she briefly ran away from home. I contacted a learning center and put her in their study-skills program. What have we done wrong? - In Shock
Answer: Obviously, your daughter is extremely upset by her failure to do well in junior high. What's more, she hasn't shared her difficulties with you, even going so far as to only bring home good papers. Approach this problem on two fronts. Open the lines of communication with your daughter, explaining that you want to help her conquer the drop in grades. Tell her that this happens to many students in switching from elementary school to junior high. Point out that her past success in school should help her turn things around with the right help and her own efforts. Second, schedule a conference with her teachers and counselor. If the counselor still fails to respond to your calls, talk to an administrator at the school.
We certainly don't know why your daughter's grades have slipped this year. She might not really understand it either. A study-skills class might or might not be the solution. Have her attend the conference so she can find out the ways the teachers think she can turn things around. She might have underestimated how much work is necessary at this level to get good grades. Close guidance and support from several of her teachers could be all she needs to get back on track.