--middle school is a time of great change so it is more important to work on character than academics.
Concentrating on academic work takes your mind off of your appearance, why you don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend, etc. Meeting academic challenges can build character.
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Just curious - do you have a child in middle school? I've seen some incredibly high-IQ kids be every bit as wrapped up in self-esteem issues and worries over boyfriend/girlfriend/popularity/etc as any other kid, whether or not they were appropriately academically challenged. We even had a group of "AP kids" who were in trouble with the law a few years back.
I don't disagree that meeting academic challenges can build character, but there's a whole lot more to character and self-esteem than just focusing on academic challenges can provide.
polarbear
