Secondary Education in The United States - Middle Schools

Middle Schools

Middle schools (still commonly called by the older names "junior high school" and "intermediate school") are schools that span grades 6 through 8 or 9. Schools that overlap the 9th grade typically are referred to as "junior high schools". Both are between primary education/elementary education and high school. More rural districts offer an all-inclusive elementary school covering kindergarten to the 6th grade. Some very small rural districts only have one school building in the district serving kindergarten to the 12th grade. The divisions vary widely by state and district. Some districts mix all inclusive elementary schools teaching kindergarten to the 6th grade, but split other schools in the district into elementary and middle schools. There is no general rule in the US as states and even districts within a state have a lot of control over the divisions.

Upon arrival in middle school or junior high school, students begin to enroll in class schedules where they take classes from several teachers in a given day. The classes are usually a set of four or five (if foreign language is included in the curriculum) core academic classes (English or "language arts," science, mathematics, history or "social studies," and in some schools, foreign language) with two to four other classes, either electives, supplementary, or remedial academic classes.

In school districts divided into middle and junior high schools, one of the main differences between the two is elective courses.

Some students also start taking a foreign language or advanced math and science classes in middle school. Typically schools will offer Spanish and French; and, often German; and, sometimes Latin; Chinese, Japanese, and/or Greek. In addition to Pre-Algebra and other high school mathematics prep courses, Algebra I and Geometry are both commonly taught. Schools also offer Earth Science, Life Science, or Physical Science classes. Physical education classes (also called "PE", "phys ed", Kinesiology, or by the older term, "gym") are usually mandatory for various periods. For social studies, some schools offer US History, Geography, and World History classes.