1. South Kitsap Grade Reconfiguration
Why Sixth Graders Should be at Middle Schools
8th
7th
6th

2. What is Junior High?
Junior High Is Often Considered A “Junior Version” Of High School.
Junior high students attend the same six periods each day, with teachers who are assigned specific subject areas.
At its core, a junior high school is subject-centered, with academics as its first priority. Students focus on mastery of concepts and skills in separate subject areas.
Junior high staff traditionally focus on teaching subject matter versus teaching students social and organizational skills in addition to academic information.
Junior high schools provide a more structured after-school activity program, as well as athletics organized around an interscholastic concept.

3. The Transition From Junior High To High School Can Be Difficult
As students make the transition into high school, many experience a decline in grades and attendance. However, research has shown that a challenging and supportive middle school experience can result in a more successful transition into high school.

4. Middle school is not about grade configuration, but about effective programs and practices. Middle schools emphasize personal connection and social development while also promoting academic rigor and challenge.

5. Junior High vs. Middle Schools
Subject-based, with emphasis on academic development
Student-oriented, with dual emphasis on academic and relational development
Provides primarily subject-based academic and elective classes
Provides more options for exploratory and elective classes
Traditional six-period day
More flexible scheduling approaches
Teachers are in subject-based departments
Students and teachers are in teams based on grade level
Classrooms arranged by subject area
Classrooms arranged by grade level

6. Spectrum Of Education Elementary High School Characteristics
Most elementary school teachers teach several subjects, and they are generally responsible for teaching children their most fundamental school lessons. Elementary schools are focused on teaching students the skills they need for academic success.
Characteristics
Primary grades
Same teacher for every subject
Students grouped by grade level
Very few transitions between classes
No or limited electives
Limited extra-curricular offerings
Teachers grouped by grade level
High School
High school provides more choices for students in terms of courses and co- or extra-curricular opportunities. Teachers are focused on preparing students to be college and career ready.
Characteristics
Grades 9-12
Different teacher for each subject
Students grouped by subject
Transition between every class
Wide variety of electives
Numerous co/extra-curricular offerings
Teachers grouped by subject

7. Middle Schools Fill The Gap
Middle schools are designed to create more of a transition
between elementary school and high school.
Characteristics of a Middle School - Grades 6-8
Same teacher for more than one subject
Students grouped mostly by grade level
Fewer transitions from class to class
Expanded access to electives
More co- and extra-curricular offerings
More collaboration among teachers
Teachers with content area specialization

8. Why Middle School?
“Middle schools offer programs and practices such as interdisciplinary teaming, flexible scheduling, advisory programs, and a wide variety of elective courses, considered to be essential for effective education for young adults.”
-- Epstein, “The Middle Grades: Is grade span the most important issue?” Educational Horizons

9. Three Critical Advantages
Smoother transition between elementary school and high school
The transition between schools is a critical time in a student’s education. Students have a more positive experience when transitions are managed intentionally.
Studies show that sixth-graders transition better than seventh-graders. Three years at the middle school level allows more time to prepare them for the next transition. It also provides more stability to the overall program and more time to build strong, positive relationships.

10. Three Critical Advantages
Better oriented to address the needs of developmental stages of children between the ages of 11 and 13.
Grades 6 through 8 parallel the period of human growth and development between childhood and adolescents (ages 11-13).
Middle schools are oriented to the needs of this developmental stage.

11. Three Critical Advantages
More extra-curricula and elective opportunities.
Middle schools also offer a greater variety of co- and extra-curricular clubs and activities, as well as expanded electives. Middle schools have more opportunities for gifted students, struggling students, and all those in-between.

12. John Sedgwick
Middle School
Cedar Heights
Middle School
Marcus Whitman
Middle School