What To Do About Middle School

I've posted on this topic before, but the New York Times has another interesting piece on what New York schools are doing about "the middle school problem."

For years, it's been well documented that early adolescence--about 12- to 14-years-old--is when a scary number of children drop off the academic train and never recover. The pendulum of educational philosophy has swung from separate this age group from elementary schoolers and high schoolers (the middle school model) back to the "grammar school" model (kindergarten through eighth grade in one school).

The article discusses the grammar school model and a different one which places sixth- to twelfth-graders in one school. The difference in philosophies is fascinating.

On the one hand, K-through-8 schools can provide stability and comfort to help young adolescents navigate through a difficult time. On the other hand, 6-through-12 schools help younger students focus on academic achievement and what they want to do with themselves.

From this article, I'm not sure which model works best. It could be a situation where some children thrive in one model whereas other children do well in the other. In any event, finding the right fit for all students should be the priority.