Changing schools is tough; new buildings, new rules, new people.

But at Lewis and Clark Middle School, you aren't completely left in the dark.

It's not their real first day, that's not until August. But it is a chance to get to know their new surroundings.

"We invited the fifth graders into the building to show them around so they could feel good about making the transition from fifth to sixth grade," sixth grade counselor Sharon Lock said.

For the last six years the students have been in one of the 11 elementary schools.

Next year they will leave these buildings and start over at one of the two middle schools, so Lewis and Clark counselors wanted to help.

"I was in that position before and I know how it is," sixth grader Shanterra Myers said.

A small group of sixth graders gave tours and answered the new kids' questions.

"Like how your lockers work and classes and stuff," sixth grader Paige Bax said.

Paige and her classmates spent the entire afternoon getting the fifth graders acquainted with their future school.

"Fifth graders don't know what to expect, so I think the teachers picked good sixth graders so we can explain to them how it's going to be, so they're not scared and afraid," said Myers.

A lot of things are changing for the fifth graders. They'll be on teams, they'll use lockers and of course, they'll say goodbye to one of their favorite "classes."

"Recess, because you get to hang out with your friends," fifth grader Montana Hedrick said.

Aside from the "no recess" thing, Hedrick is excited about moving up.

"We have more choices and we have cards this year that we get to use," Hedrick said.

And thanks to the current sixth graders, she already has a head start on how to work her locker.

"Whenever you're opening your lockers you have to start with the right and left and right, and there's lots of room for your stuff," she said.

"Our whole goal is to make them feel good about middle school and so they don't have the nerves on the first day," said Lock.

The real first day may be months away, but these fifth graders are looking forward to next year already.

"I think they're ready to be a little more independent, and have that responsibility," Lock said.

Each of the elementary schools got their chance to visit Lewis and Clark. The first day of school is Aug. 19.