By Kelly Herdrich , Contributing writer

You've survived elementary school, where your little one needed you at every turn, and middle school, where the hormones were new and raging. Suddenly, it's time for your child to enter high school ... wait, high school?

Many parents have no idea what to expect from some of their child's most formative years. Here's some information to help you cope.

Freshman Year: Who Am I And Where Do I Fit In?

Many students spend the summer before freshman year worrying about the changes ahead. As a result, their first months of their freshman year are spent figuring out who they are and where they fit in. PBSKids.org notes that freshmen are learning both the written and unwritten rules of high school and, in many cases, adjusting to being a little fish in a big pond. To help your child, monitor their schoolwork, but equally important, be sure to encourage your child to get involved in extracurricular activities. Suggest that your child to participate in areas where his or her interests lie. Encourage new friendships that seem healthy, and remind your child not to forget their old friends, either.

Sophomore Year: It's All Academic

A recent story in The Washington Post noted that sophomore year is where students are challenged by more standardized tests, tougher assignments and greater expectations from teachers. What are they good at? What areas do they struggle in? Coursework becomes harder and, as a result, your child may need more academic support. You spent last year encouraging; spend this year motivating. Teens may be overwhelmed this year by all that they want to do and all that they need to do. Colleges look at coursework taken during sophomore year more closely than freshman year, so monitor grades and push your child to get help when they need it.

Junior Year: Crunch Time

Junior year is a crazy time for high school students. With college applications, SAT and ACT tests, and concerns about where they'll go and what they'll do, junior year is the one where your teen will start to feel more like an adult. Add in the fact that they'll likely be driving this year and you've got a teenager who really does think they're an adult. Junior year is the time for parents to stay firm with discipline. Rules have never been as important as when you have a child testing their limits, driving, and getting ready for the real world.

Senior Year: The Senior Slump

Many high school students view their senior year of high school as the time to sit back and relax. A study by UCLA and funded by the U.S. Department of Education found that the so-called senior slump can have long-lasting effects on students academically -- causing many to need remedial help when they do arrive at college, and leading to a lower rate of college graduation. Senior year requires parents to do it all: encourage, motivate, discipline. Give feedback on your child's course selection when it's time, monitor their grades, and get firm about their social life when academics suffer.

Parental expectations of high school can vary every year. But by staying involved and knowing what they might be up against, parents can help their children make the most of their high school career.