The thing about middle schools vs. Junior High Schools I never understood.

[coloradodem2005]

What was the problem with Junior High according to people? How bad was it in reality?

Another thing I really don't like about the Jr. High/Middle School format. As kids get older, you lose affection and coddling to gain responsibility, freedom and independence. In my experience, elementary could be a very nurturing environment and my high school allowed me some freedom. But in Middle School, I was no longer in the nurturing environment of elementary, and I didn't have the freedom of high school. It was like a 2 year prison sentence with really volatile people.

[TimeChaser]

1. For me

... It was a three year prision sentence....

[BamaLefty]

7. Ugh...

I hated it. High school is way cooler. :P

[SeanQuinn]

2. I'm in the middle of that prison sentence, nt

[AlienGirl]

6. Ugh, I feel for ya

Junior high was the *worst.* Everybody was soooo conformist, the teachers all were just kinda phoning it in (neither enjoying being pseudo-parents like some of the elementary-school teachers nor being mentors like high-school teachers) and nothing I did seemed to be right.

Hang in there, by sixteen things seem okay again.

Tucker

[SeanQuinn]

10. Thanks, HS seems not to come fast enough. nt

[iconoclastic cat]

8. Wow, you're awfully socially and politically conscious for your age!

I imagine that middle school must really be quite awful. That's okay; use it! Start a band!

[SeanQuinn]

9. I play guitar, why not? Good idea. nt

[iconoclastic cat]

11. That was the only thing that kept me sane at your age.

[LibDemAlways]

3. Some of the teachers at my daughter's middle school

are very nurturing, others strictly business. I like the mix and that she's being exposed to a variety of teachers and teaching styles. Her school day is divided up in the same manner as the nearby high school - Periods 1,3,5 each for 90 minutes one day, alternating with 2,4, and 6 the next.

Socially, Middle School can be hell, particularly for kids who stand out in any way. Conformity is all important. Still, middle schoolers need a place to go. They don't belong in elementary or high school.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. My junior high was in the same building as the high school. I think this

wasn't a good thing, rubbing shoulder with the older kids. I think, too, it made me feel even more self-conscious about my appearance..all those pretty, developed Junior and Senior girls everywhere.

[d_b]

5. Those were some of the funnest years for me.

Of course I was never at school during that time.

[Bouncy Ball]

12. You are so right about middle school.

I feel like middle school kids are like the red-headed stepchildren of all ages of kids. They get overlooked, or people just don't know how to act towards them.

Well, just PAY attention to them! Listen to them, give them a hug if they need it, they're still kids, they still need all that.

Middle school kids are my favorite age, by the way. Always have been. They're awesome.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Junior highs are just that

little high schools. Middle schools are more of a transition program between elem and high school.

[Kathleen04]

14. 6th grade was worse for

me (still elementary)..bad acne, bad hair, one good friend and one I eventually cut-off because she always seemed to be putting me down.

7th was improving, first time I ever had a larger group of friends..and by 8th things seemed normal.

High school was better and then college is better still. :)

[SoCalDem]

15. "middle schools" are bad bad bad

Here in CA, some start with 5th grade, which means that a "middle school" that goes from 5-8, the young ones will be 10-11 yrs old, and the older ones will be 13-14 years old.. That's DANGEROUS..

My junior high was 7,8,9..which mean that 12-14 was the range.. Kids in that range are pretty much kindred spirits,. but the middle school set-up can be very intimdating to the younger kids..

Our high school was 10,11,12

We had K-6
Jr high 7-9
High school 10-12