<p>I think middle school is too early to talk directly about college readiness, BUT it is really important as a parent that you understand the choices made in middle school can matter in High School, so choose courses wisely. With that said, how much pressure do you want your kid to feel? For me I would rather mine not feel much at this age. I have an 8th grade son and a 5th grade daughter and although I have guided the ship of my son’s MS choices so he could take more advanced course work in HS, it was never under the umbrella of “this is all about college.” It was more about, “this is about challenging yourself and being the best human you can be.” Because after all, isn’t that what colleges want? Students who are the best THEY can be.</p>