Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Middle School Middle School - which is better k-8 or 6-8?

I have heard/read lots of middle school horror stories, everything from social awkwardness to bullying from older kids.

I am trying to avoid this of course as much as possible for ds9, when he has to go in a couple of years. I am wondering if it makes more sense to look to a program which has k-8; for some reason it strikes me that the 6th graders wouldn't stand out so much as 'the youngest' in a situation like that.
Any opinions?

My son started 7th grade at a 6th-12th school while he was still 11 (youngest 7th grader/only one with subject acceleration). He found the middle school environment, having eight different teachers for eight different classes liberating and enjoyable.

Bullying occurs, but does not seem to cut across grade levels. I think the school culture is such that peers would discourage picking on a younger grade student, as it isn�t considered sporting by the general population. School cultures vary greatly though.

I'd agree that it has a lot more to do with the school culture than a general across the board distinction between the two types of schools.

I have worked in 6-8 schools, as well as k-12 schools and the way 6th graders are treated is entirely dependent on how the oldest students treat younger ones, and the attitude fostered by the teachers and administration.

If there is an atmosphere of older classes doing projects with younger ones, or being paired as "buddies" for certain things then the cross age bullying is drastically reduced since the older kids see the younger ones then as their friends and "little buddies" as opposed to easy prey.

Some younger students like the way a 6-8 school treats them as more of an adult, but with the warm fuzzy side of elementary when needed while others would prefer to drop the warm fuzzy elementary feel to some middle schools and jump right into the high school feel of a school. And still others like the security of being the older students in an elementary they are familiar with that still gives them the warm fuzzies typically associated with younger grades.

I'd investigate the cross grade interactions (both scheduled - like mixed pe classes, and class buddies, and random - like mixing in the hallways or membership in an activity) at both types of schools before making a decision.

These are great thoughts everyone, thanks for responding! Lots to consider, as usual!

Im a bit leery of a child joining a group where over 50% have been together forever. I found starting fresh in a new building with a new social heirarchy very liberating as a 7th grader. So much depends on the child and the school. Best wishes grinity

Im a bit leery of a child joining a group where over 50% have been together forever. I found starting fresh in a new building with a new social heirarchy very liberating as a 7th grader. So much depends on the child and the school. Best wishes grinity

And 9th is too early for kids to be in high school. There is a huge difference between the average 14 year old and almost 18 year old! In GA, they have started a lot of primary & elementary schools, which I love (though we are not in one of those districts). They put K-2 or 3 in one school. 3 or 4-6 in elementary, and then middle is 7-8. If they could just squeeze 9th in there too... back in my parents' days, elementary was K-6, jr high 7-9, and sr high 10-12. I went to both a 7-8 and a 6-8 middle school (two different states). I don't believe I was ready for middle in 6th grade.

If only I had some say in it all... ha!