The middle years are crucial to high school success, when students develop skills for navigating the larger world, and discover the direction they want their lives to take. So why, asks noted middle school educator Rick Wormeli, would anyone leave the transition into this phase to chance? Five mind-sets can help educators guide their students on the path from elementary to middle school: understanding students' concern about belonging, empathizing with students, understanding the characteristics of the age group, focusing on the positive, and building hope. The article offers a wealth of practical strategies for making great transitions. (Contains 2 endnotes.)