Our middle school is almost entirely about teaching EF, self-advocacy, and team spirit, with a bit of study skills such as note-taking. Academic content is light; most grading is on effort, such as coloring projects neatly and homework completeness, rather than on knowledge, as might be demonstrated by items correct on homework or tests. Parents who assist their kids are seen as crutches, not scaffolds, and encouraged to back off. This does make it hard for families where there is an actual challenge. This is particularly true in 6th grade, when no new content is introduced as far as I could tell - they just reviewed all of elementary.
To tell the truth, I don't think they differentiated at all, except for offering extra ungraded challenge work to all students. I am certain no one would have told me if there was grouping going on.
Others will advise on advocacy; all I can offer is a middle school reality check.
