Welcome back.

Freshman John Cronin was not as nervous as the other 9th-graders on the first day of school back in September, because he first became a Spartan in 2000.

Even though the extent of his knowledge of this humongous building the first time around ranged from the cafeteria hallway to about a tenth of the way down Senior Hall, he knew more about the school this year than his peers, making the transition from middle school to high school much easier.

“I was only familiar with one entrance of the school,” said Cronin, “but it was better than nothing.”

What makes Cronin’s story so interesting is the fact that not only does he attend high school where he went to pre-school, which not many people can say, but his little brother started school here this year too, as part of the very same pre-school program.

“He loves it here,” said Cronin about little bro’ Robert, who is three years old. “He absolutely loves the pre-school. He’s making a lot of friends.”

Siblings attending the same school isn’t an uncommon occurrence at all. When those siblings, however, are about 10 years apart, they see high school from a different perspective.

It has to make going to school a little easier for the pre-schooler, knowing that his older sibling is in the same building just a few steps away.

Perhaps the Cronin family has the right idea. Transportation must be easier, although little brother gets dropped off at school a few hours later than his older sibling.

Before college, according to education experts, the most significant educational transitions are when a child attends pre-school for the first time and again when he or she goes from middle school to high school. The experts also say that attending pre-school gives a student a jump on his academic career.

“[And] me and my brother were the only ones of my siblings to take pre-school,” the freshman said.

Cronin knew his way around a little bit when he arrived at WS the second time around and his little brother—who is a member of the Spartan Class of 2024—probably will in 10 years, too.

“I don’t really remember that much about pre-school,” said Cronin,“but it’s nice going to a school I’m familiar with.”

The brothers have grown closer, not only because they share the Spartan bond, but because they see each other a lot at school.

“I see him when he gets dropped off because I have PE,” Cronin said. “He absolutely loves the pre-school. He is making a lot of friends.”