Graduate After 10th Grade?

[Old Guy]

Should Kids Be Able to Graduate After 10th Grade?
By KATHLEEN KINGSBURY Fri Nov 7, 4:50 am ET

High school sophomores should be ready for college by age 16. That's the message from New Hampshire education officials, who announced plans Oct. 30 for a new rigorous state board of exams to be given to 10th graders. Students who pass will be prepared to move on to the state's community or technical colleges, skipping the last two years of high school. (See pictures of teens and how they would vote. (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/shouldkidsbeabletograduateafter10thgrade/29796053/SIG=12743ci85;_ylt=AsuYp.YxDPZVzLRnSsyu7RDBF4l4/*http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1854144_1788048,00.html))

Once implemented, the new battery of tests is expected to guarantee higher competency in core school subjects, lower dropout rates and free up millions of education dollars. Students may take the exams - which are modeled on existing AP or International Baccalaureate tests - as many times as they need to pass. Or those who want to go to a prestigious university may stay and finish the final two years, taking a second, more difficult set of exams senior year. "We want students who are ready to be able to move on to their higher education," says Lyonel Tracy, New Hampshire's Commissioner for Education. "And then we can focus even more attention on those kids who need more help to get there."

But can less schooling really lead to better-prepared students at an earlier age? Outside of the U.S., it's actually a far less radical notion than it sounds. Dozens of industrialized countries expect students to be college-ready by age 16, and those teenagers consistently outperform their American peers on international standardized tests. (See pictures of the college dorm room's evolution. (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/shouldkidsbeabletograduateafter10thgrade/29796053/SIG=1278q3tr4;_ylt=AgPkDw0yzEdw_Kw1zIh7LGDBF4l4/*http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1838306_1759869,00.html))

With its new assessment system, New Hampshire is adopting a key recommendation of a blue-ribbon panel called the New Commission on Skills of the American Workforce. In 2006, the group issued a report called Tough Choices or Tough Times (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/shouldkidsbeabletograduateafter10thgrade/29796053/SIG=12226n8ic;_ylt=Aki5MwWHz3BbWpNqSQY2mSvBF4l4/*http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1568480,00.html), a blueprint for how it believes the U.S. must dramatically overhaul education policies in order to maintain a globally competitive economy. "Forty years ago, the United States had the best educated workforce in the world," says William Brock, one of the commission's chairs and a former U.S. Secretary of Labor. "Now we're No. 10 and falling."

As more and more jobs head overseas, Brock and others on the commission can't stress enough how dire the need is for educational reform. "The nation is running out of time," he says.

New Hampshire's announcement comes as Utah and Massachusetts declared that they, too, plan to enact some of the commission's other proposals, such as universal Pre-K and better teacher pay and training. Still more states are expected to sign on in December. And the largest teacher union in the U.S., the National Education Association, is encouraging its affiliates to support such efforts.

Some reform advocates would like to see the report's testing proposals replace current No Child Left Behind legislation. "It makes accountability much more meaningful by stressing critical thinking and true mastery," says Tracy.

No date has been set for when New Hampshire will start administering the new set of exams, which have yet to be developed. But to achieve the goal of sending kids to college at 16, Tracy and his colleagues recognize preparation will have to start early. Nearly four years ago, New Hampshire began an initiative called Follow the Child. Starting practically from birth, educators are expected to chart children's educational progress year to year. In the future, this effort will be bolstered by formalized curricula that specify exactly what kids should know by the end of each grade level.

That should help minimize the need for review year to year. It will also bring New Hampshire's education framework much closer to what occurs in many high-performing European and Asian nations. "It's about defining what lessons students should master and then teaching to those points," says Marc Tucker, co-chair of the commission and president of the National Center for Education and the Economy in Washington. "Kids at every level will be taking tough courses and working hard."

Right now, Tucker argues, most American teenagers slide through high school, viewing it as a mandatory pit stop to hang out and socialize. Of those who do go to college, half attend community college. So Tucker's thinking is why not let them get started earlier? If that happened nationwide, he estimates the cost savings would add up to $60 billion a year. "All money that can be spent either on early childhood education or elsewhere," he says.

Critics of cutting high school short, however, worry that proposals such as New Hampshire's could exacerbate existing socioeconomic gaps. One key concern is whether test results, at age 16, are really valid enough to indicate if a child should go to university or instead head to a technical school - with the latter almost certainly guaranteeing lower future earning potential. "You know that the kids sent in that direction are going to be from low-income, less-educated families while wealthy parents won't permit it," says Iris Rotberg, a George Washington University education policy professor, who notes similar results in Europe and Asia. She predicts, in turn, that disparity will mean "an even more polarized higher education structure - and ultimately society - than we already have."

It's a charge that Tracy denies. "We're simply telling students it's okay to go at their own pace," he says. Especially if that pace is a little quicker than the status quo.

[DBZNarutoWarrior]

Yeah, I read this article in the afternoon today. I hate how close we are to passing this AFTER I GRADUATE.:p I wonder how long it will take us to pass this in NH. While it doesn't offer a HUGE window of opportunity to a mass amount of people, it should really encourage kids to work hard in order to skip two years of highschool. I think it's a fantastic idea, because in highschool I don't think anybody really learned anything except how to band an entire class together to cheat on homework/quizzes etc. This will be great for those lucky few who are willing to put forth some extra work. All the luck to them!

[Old Guy]

I think this is one of those things that only sounds good in paper. I don't know if mature-wise 16 year olds are ready for college. At 16 you're just getting your license and learning how not to kill yourself in the road. Think you're also gonna be ready for the challenges that come with being a college student?

[DBZNarutoWarrior]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that in my post.

I think age is the main problem with this. I mean at 16 most kids in highschool have never been to a highschool party before (let alone a college one). They would also probably get taken advantage of quite a bit too since they made it to their college based on their intelligence (not personality too). I think it's a shame that age is the problem. Maybe they will have a protection program LOL.

[GuardianKid13]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that in my post.

I think age is the main problem with this. I mean at 16 most kids in highschool have never been to a highschool party before.Are you serious..

[veemonjosh]

You know, if this was already happening, I'd probably be a college drop-out by now.

Really, I'm in 11th grade, and I'm not even close to being ready for college, no one in my grade is. Are these people insane?


Are you serious..

Yeah, no one my age that I know has ever actually been to that kind of party.

Closest thing was a mini-rave that this girl that has a crush on me did for her birthday, and I'm not sure how that went (couldn't make it).

[Captain Highwind]

I would have loved this in high school.

There are drawbacks, but I would have went for the program just to get into a little more mature setting than what I had to put up with. Easily something to give up prom for, imo. It's not like there aren't any memorable social functions in college.

Sure, it leans toward alienating those that 'need the help' as they put it, but at least this way there are more resources for them to get the attention they need, and give those who think they're ready for college the go-ahead, instead of burning out the treads on both tires.

[DBZNarutoWarrior]

Are you serious..

Yeah. At my school the main reason I was invited when I was a sophomore (16) was because I was on the baseball team. Then when I got there I expected to see some other friends of my from class, but they were mainly juniors and seniors. I went to a small highschool though (about 750). It wasn't until the next year that I started going to parties with other people I knew from other schools and my school (which is an "actual" highschool party IMO).

[Old Guy]

To begin with, if you do research you'll notice that several community colleges offer a program called dual enrollment. In other words, you can do high school and an AA college degree at the same time. So, this is proposal is nothing unique.

Secondly, are these 16 year old kids gonna go to a college near home or are they gonna go far and live on campus? If they are living on campus can they actually handle that in a responsible way? And if they go to a campus near home, who's gonna drive them? Do they have the driving skills to drive so far?

[Marvin Tikvah]

There was a program like that at the high school I attended last year. Basically, since the school was so close to a community college, they started a program where students could enroll in college classes in place of some high school classes.

There were some requirements though. Students had to have at least a 3.0 GPA, had to have a good standing, and had to take entry tests for English comprehension and Math. Only juniors and seniors were eligible, though my sister was able to enroll in her sophomore year due to the fact that it was the year the program was first initiated, there were a lot of open spots left, and she was recommended by one of her teachers.

If you had enough credits, you could graduate early from high school and attend the college full time, though a lot of early grads were halfway done with their senior year. Never saw a person in a lower grade graduate early.

I highly approve of that program, although a couple of my peers took advantage of it and deliberately chose easy classes to avoid work and just kick back. I honestly hope the school stepped up to make sure they could weed out the slackers from the ones who want the opportunity.

[Roman Legion]

To begin with, if you do research you'll notice that several community colleges offer a program called dual enrollment. In other words, you can do high school and an AA college degree at the same time. So, this is proposal is nothing unique.Yep, I've had classes with a few 16 and 17 year old students at the local community college. It's not for everyone, but it's nothing new. If a student has the grades and maturity, it's a great opportunity. Dual enrollment aside, my brother graduated a year early, and he could have graduated at 16 if we didn't have him held back. I also once had a college math course taught by a 16 year old for 1/3 of the term before the professor showed up... but that's another story. :sweat:


Secondly, are these 16 year old kids gonna go to a college near home or are they gonna go far and live on campus? If they are living on campus can they actually handle that in a responsible way?Heh, too many 18 year olds aren't ready to handle that in a responsible way. :p
I'm not sure most colleges would even want to deal with having a significant number of younger students living on campus.


And if they go to a campus near home, who's gonna drive them? Do they have the driving skills to drive so far?How were they getting to high school? School bus access isn't universal, so a lot of kids have to be dropped off as it is. If it's too far away, they won't be attending that particular college.

--Romey

[Old Guy]

Yep, I've had classes with a few 16 and 17 year old students at the local community college.

Yea, I experienced that as well. I remember this one girl who was super hot and I started flirting with her. Then, I found out she was like 16 or 17 and I was like, "woah...a little too close to a jail sentence." Gotta be careful, man. :sweat:


Heh, too many 18 year olds aren't ready to handle that in a responsible way. :p

Exactly. I'm 21 and there's times I slack off. I can only imagine a 16 yr old.


How were they getting to high school? School bus access isn't universal, so a lot of kids have to be dropped off as it is.

Yea, but you go to the school closest to you and that's usually a 5-10 min drive. A college can be 30-40 min aways and could involve you having to take the expressway. And I don't think 16 yrs olds are skilled enough for that.

[G. Wen]

I'm for this. I wish I had this while in highschool.:mad: :mad: :mad: :crying: :crying: :crying:

Long winded lecture: Many anthropologists believe that some teenagers act out because they're smothered in a state of childhood, when in actuality, they're in a transitional state. Many cultures have initiations that celebrate the transition, and the individual learns important skills that will benefit the whole tribe. We have something like that, but it's become empty and devoid of meaning. Sweet sixteens means you spoil princess more than you did during her 5th, 6th, and 7th b-days combined. Or the kid gets a patronizing task (Billy, now you're old enough to drag the trash out to the curb by yourself!).

If done right, this will be an excellent opportunity for kids to grow up and experience the real world. I think letting them take college or even trade school classes will spark their interests in certain subjects, which may even lead them to even more intensive, in depth studies. Part of the problem with traditional high schools is that the subject matter is so far from the application that many students feel like they don't have to learn it. If they take a college or trade school class, they may realize the necessary application for it.

However, at 16, I think kids still need parental supervision, so they should go to college on a campus near home.

[tucsoncoyote]

Theoretically the idea of a 16 year old sophomore being ready to graduate high school sounds good on paper, but when put into real practice? I hate to say this but I waited till I was a high school junior to even consider being put into even a community college setting, and even then I had to wait till I was a senior before I got the chance to become a community college enrollee.

I mean in some ways this may be a good idea initially, but without proper maturity or guidance, the idea is a bad idea on the grounds that a lot of 16 and even 17 year olds lack the maturity to handle the real rigors of any college setting unless they are willing to put their mind to it.

So in my own honest opinion I would say, "Stay in school and act responsibly, and if you think you have the motivation to keep your grades up, then go for it, else don't do it."

:coyote:

[Old Guy]

This is just a scam for schools to cut back on spending. It has to be said, folks. The correct approach would be for schools to offer more (and better) arts, technology, business, political, and journalism courses. In addition to anything else I may have overlooked. The focus, of course, is on the four main subjects (english, math, science, and social studies) but if more and better electives are offered students would take a bigger interest in school as well as their future.

[Michael24]

Ending high school at 10th grade? Doesn't sound right to me. (Just like moving 6th grade from Elementary School to Junior High.)

[Old Guy]

(Just like moving 6th grade from Elementary School to Junior High.)

6th grade in Elementary WAS pointless. I didn't experience it myself since 6th grade was middle school for me, but I can't imagine still being stuck in Elementary school at 11. You're already going through puberty, so what's the point of being around a bunch of little kids. You belong in a building with a bunch of other kids who can't control their hormones.

[Michael24]

Eh, I didn't have a problem with it (and I was 12 at the time because I couldn't start Elementary school at the correct age), and I didn't see any reason for moving it. I don't see what puberty has to do with it, either.

[Old Guy]

I don't see what puberty has to do with it, either.

It's mentality, man. The 11 to 14 crowd is in another world from the 4 to 10 yr olds. Little kids are concerned with playing games and watching cartoons. Pre-teens are concerned with body issues and attraction to the opposite (or same) sex. These are two age groups that shouldn't be locked in the same building together. Two different worlds. Two different environments.

[Michael24]

Maybe it's different nowadays. Looking back, I didn't see much difference between the 10 and 11 year olds in my school. I was pretty much concerned with toys and cartoons in 6th grade as well, and into Middle School. Girls didn't really into my radar big time until at least 7th or 8th grade.

[purplehairedwonder]

The more I hear about other people's high school experiences at my own college, the more I think my high school was unique. I was loaded down with AP classes in high school and the equivalents I've taken in college have been so much easier. However, looking back at me and my friends at 16, I don't think any of us were mature enough to enroll in college. We probably could have passed classes at the state university in our town, but there is so much more to the college experience than just going to class. I've changed a lot since I was 16, and I just can't see a 16 year old me or any of my friends (and keep in mind we were all the top of the class students in our grade) as ready to handle it.

The idea of dual enrollment is great, since, as I mentioned, I'm sure I could have passed lower level college classes at 16. However, the rest of the college experience just doesn't compute with who I was or who most anyone I knew was as a sophomore in high school.

[The Cartoon]

Well I am a 10th grader, but I am a year ahead of my grade so I am only 15 and I am definitely not ready for college. Sure, I would love to be done with school this year, but I wouldn't be smart or ready enough to skip 2 grades. This is a terrible idea.

[Old Guy]

Maybe it's different nowadays. Looking back, I didn't see much difference between the 10 and 11 year olds in my school. I was pretty much concerned with toys and cartoons in 6th grade as well, and into Middle School. Girls didn't really into my radar big time until at least 7th or 8th grade.

6th grade and age 11/12 are a transitional phase. So, yea, you'll still be into toys and cartoons but your body is starting to change and you'll start developing body issues. Plus, your train of thought is starting to change as well. So, 6th grade in middle school makes more sense because you'll be in an environment with people going through what you're going through and you feel like you fit in.

[Cool Blue]

oh my gosh, i wish i could've started college at 16 and graduated at the same time. the only thing i would miss is that I had a phenominal last two years in high school with some of the most memorable and enjoyable moments but i considering as how i wouldn't have known about that had I done this it wouldn't have made a difference. plus there's no reason to think i couldn't have done something equally awesome. honestly, i think the foundation school system (k-12) is kinda long and exaggerated. it needs to be cropped, so I support this all the way.

[Old Guy]

honestly, i think the foundation school system (k-12) is kinda long and exaggerated. it needs to be cropped, so I support this all the way.

I agree that it is long. Elementary and Middle School are the only time you learn stuff that you'll actually use in every day life. In HS you take classes like that, but at the same time you take crap you'll never use again like, you know, ALGEBRA. However, that being said, 16 yr olds aren't ready for college. College is great because you have freedom. You pick your classes, professor, and schedule. A 16 yr old will abuse that system. Face it. You know it's true.

[Captain Highwind]

A 16 yr old will abuse that system. Face it. You know it's true.

Like college students don't abuse it anyway.

Just sayin.'

Although conversely...in college, if you don't do the work, it's not the teacher's problem if the student fails. There's nothing really to abuse in the system when you think about it.

[Rud]

well, im 18 now and will be when i go to college, and i cant honestly say im any more ready now then i was at 16, i haven't really changed or matured much since then, so i think its a good idea.

[Old Guy]

Like college students don't abuse it anyway.

Yes, college students abuse it as well but it's not as common. Unless you're at a party school or something. People who go to college are there cause they actually care. If they didn't they would have gotten a job after high school.

And you can also make the argument that whatever 16 yr old doesn't care about college will just get a job. But, c'mon, what 16 yr old wants a full time job? You just got your license. You FINALLY have freedom in your life. The last thing you want is working 8 hours a day and 5 days a week. Plus, coming home so exhausted you're not in the mood to do anything. Leave that crap for your `20s. lol.

[Draft]

Sweet! I'm in 10th grade right now!

Screw the last 2 years of Public Education i'm going to go hey a job at Wendy's!!!

[Captain Highwind]

Yes, college students abuse it as well but it's not as common. Unless you're at a party school or something. People who go to college are there cause they actually care. If they didn't they would have gotten a job after high school.

And you can also make the argument that whatever 16 yr old doesn't care about college will just get a job. But, c'mon, what 16 yr old wants a full time job? You just got your license. You FINALLY have freedom in your life. The last thing you want is working 8 hours a day and 5 days a week. Plus, coming home so exhausted you're not in the mood to do anything. Leave that crap for your `20s. lol.

18 year olds have the same choice too, they just happen to be two years older. And still under twenty.

The tests are there to show if they can handle college courses. I don't really think there's anything forcing them to leave high school if they don't want to, just that it's a window of opportunity for them if they do.

[Roman Legion]

Ought to remind some people that this already happens, and it's not a big issue.
The only difference we're talking about is making the opportunity more available.

--Romey

[Old Guy]

I don't really think there's anything forcing them to leave high school if they don't want to, just that it's a window of opportunity for them if they do.

No one is forcing anyone AT THE MOMENT. But its what they are leaning towards. They just wanna cut costs. That's the whole point behind this.


Ought to remind some people that this already happens, and it's not a big issue.
The only difference we're talking about is making the opportunity more available.

--Romey

Yes, we have discussed dual enrollment already. The difference is that dual enrollment means you're doing HS and College at the same time. This is finishing HS in 10th grade and becoming a real college student. Big difference.

[Roman Legion]

No one is forcing anyone AT THE MOMENT. But its what they are leaning towards. They just wanna cut costs. That's the whole point behind this.Some proponents may have questionable motives, no doubt. It happens. In the long run, however, I don't think it's that bad an idea.


Yes, we have discussed dual enrollment already.Dual enrollment is more common, but I already mentioned that some people manage to graduate early.

--Romey

[Old Guy]

I think they should just stick to dual enrollment. That way if it's not working you always have the option of going back to traditional high school.

[Aclaim]

I remember that my dad graduated after 10th grade, not 12th grade. But then again...that was in India.

[Light Lucario]

This does sound like an interesting idea. I personally don't think I could have been ready for college at sixteen, but some kids are or are ready for the course work. In all honesty, this sounds something more for the kids and their parents to discuss on whether or not to take the exams. Duel enrollment sounds like a better plan in some aspects, but some kids may want to take this chance.


6th grade in Elementary WAS pointless. I didn't experience it myself since 6th grade was middle school for me, but I can't imagine still being stuck in Elementary school at 11. You're already going through puberty, so what's the point of being around a bunch of little kids. You belong in a building with a bunch of other kids who can't control their hormones.

That's kind of interesting. For my older brother, sixth grade was in middle school, but in the school I went to sixth grade was still elementary school. I was technically twelve when I graduated from elementary school and I started going through puberty at about ten. In retrospect, I did often feel older than my classmates, or I at least looked older than them and I certainly didn't act like a regular twelve year old with doing homework during recess. Even in middle school, none of that changed with being with other kids going through puberty.


6th grade and age 11/12 are a transitional phase. So, yea, you'll still be into toys and cartoons but your body is starting to change and you'll start developing body issues. Plus, your train of thought is starting to change as well. So, 6th grade in middle school makes more sense because you'll be in an environment with people going through what you're going through and you feel like you fit in.

I must have been a different case then since I was still into toys and cartoons after sixth grade, I still am actually, and I was developing body issues even before I turned elven or twelve. In all honesty, I don't think that I had a crush on a guy until somewhere around high school. Sixth grade was definitely not a time where I felt like I was with people going through what I was going through nor did I feel like I fit in there. Of course, keep in my this is coming from a person with Asperger's Syndrome and didn't find out about that until the sixth grade. My basic point is that not everyone fits into the traditional idea of sixth grade that you have here.

[Old Guy]

I just think it's better if 6th graders are in an environment with people in their age group.

[Roman Legion]

I continue to find it odd that people think it so necessary to be among your own age group in school, typically down to being within a year of each other. How often exactly would that have happened beyond the last hundred years or less? If that didn't seem unnatural enough to me, our culture then goes so far as to pack these same-age kids in with each other by the hundreds or more. Are there studies on this that I'm missing or something?

--Romey

[Old Guy]

I continue to find it odd that people think it so necessary to be among your own age group in school

If you are 11 or 12 yrs old do you actually want to be in the same building as 4 or 5 yrs olds? Of course not. Which is why 6th grade works best in middle school. You're allowing those kids to move on to an environment that works best for them.

And there is an era in your life when a year apart is a major difference. Think about it. A 17 yr old senior in HS and an 18 yr old in college are living in two completely different worlds. You know?

I think it isn't till your `20s when a year stops making a difference.

[Light Lucario]

If you are 11 or 12 yrs old do you actually want to be in the same building as 4 or 5 yrs olds? Of course not. Which is why 6th grade works best in middle school. You're allowing those kids to move on to an environment that works best for them.

The second elementary school I went to had people from ages nine to twelve in the same building. My middle school, by the time I was in the eighth grade, was getting fifth and fourth grade classes in the school. Though we weren't really in a building but rather in those trailer like buildings. I honestly don't see what the big deal is with being around younger kids. I mean, the only time you'll really interact with them would be during a free time/recess, unless you're acting as a helper in one of those classes.

Besides, I still think that you're generalizing the sixth grade. There are some kids, like me, who just don't connect with others simply because they're at the same age. Though, I don't know it works for other people who don't have Asperger's Syndrome or another form of autism. There are people who develop earlier than others, as I did, and don't feel a connection with other kids in the sixth grade. In all honesty, sixth grade was the worst for me and it had nothing to do with being around younger kids.


And there is an era in your life when a year apart is a major difference. Think about it. A 17 yr old senior in HS and an 18 yr old in college are living in two completely different worlds. You know?

I think it isn't till your `20s when a year stops making a difference.

While I see your point here, I don't see why that would cause sixth graders to have issues being around younger kids. Both examples seem too different to compare. I don't think being in your 20s is a factor, unless you're referring to brain development, since most people well before then wouldn't really care if they go to school with younger kids. If that was the case, then more high school seniors wouldn't like to go to school with the freshman class. Still, this is coming from someone who still doesn't see the problem with going to school with younger kids.

[DBZNarutoWarrior]

There was a program like that at the high school I attended last year. Basically, since the school was so close to a community college, they started a program where students could enroll in college classes in place of some high school classes.


Yeah, we had a program called Running Start where we could earn college credits in highschool. The classes were taught at the highschool by 3 or 4 teachers who took qualification exams in order to be allowed to teach us in those select courses. I ended up taking 2 classes for 6 credits. It only cost a total of $200 compared to the $1000 it would've cost had I taken the same classes at the comm. college.

[Sparticus]

They have something like this in California - you can basicly test out of high school. I actualy took it twice - scored at college levels on everything but math, and that's what ultimately left me in high school. I still suck at math. :p

The option isn't very well known, and they don't make it a point to advertise. And, people generaly prefer to use the Head Start progams and take AP classes since high school IS very much about socializing. The AP classes are hit and miss, from what I hear, but Head Start is just community college classes in high school. I ended up switching out senior english for a creative writing class. It was much fun.

[Old Guy]

I honestly don't see what the big deal is with being around younger kids. I mean, the only time you'll really interact with them would be during a free time/recess, unless you're acting as a helper in one of those classes.

It's not about being around little kids per say. It's about the environment in general. You're still gonna be in an environment where little kids activities are taking place and where they are the top priority. So, by moving 6th grade to middle school you're allowing them to be in an environment that works best for them.

For example...

When I was in middle school there was a lot of things we did that never happened in elementary school. For example, sports teams. If 6th grade is in elementary school those kids can't be in sports teams. For starters, the school isn't gonna spend the extra budget on one grade level and even if they did where is it gonna take place? You have little kids running around in the park all afternoon. Another example is school dances. That was very popular in middle school. In Elmentary school I recall we had one...and that was at the end of 5th grade. And, again, with little kids running around all over the place and after school programs happening I'm not exactly sure how a 6th grade dance is gonna happen. You know? So, yea, I have more examples. But that's just a few for now.


high school IS very much about socializing.

School, regardless of the grade, is always about socializing. Young people want to learn, but also have fun.

[Light Lucario]

It's not about being around little kids per say. It's about the environment in general. You're still gonna be in an environment where little kids activities are taking place and where they are the top priority. So, by moving 6th grade to middle school you're allowing them to be in an environment that works best for them.

I'm not sure if I would say that little kids' activities are top priority. I always thought that good elementary schools, or just schools in general, kept the activities and studying of every grade as top priority. Besides, at least to the teachers and staff members, I thought that every student in elementary school were little kids.


For example...

When I was in middle school there was a lot of things we did that never happened in elementary school. For example, sports teams. If 6th grade is in elementary school those kids can't be in sports teams. For starters, the school isn't gonna spend the extra budget on one grade level and even if they did where is it gonna take place? You have little kids running around in the park all afternoon. Another example is school dances. That was very popular in middle school. In Elmentary school I recall we had one...and that was at the end of 5th grade. And, again, with little kids running around all over the place and after school programs happening I'm not exactly sure how a 6th grade dance is gonna happen. You know? So, yea, I have more examples. But that's just a few for now.

To be honest, the middle school I went to didn't have sport teams or school dances. We had class parties, which I seriously disliked, but nothing that involved the whole school. I do remember that there were after school programs, mostly like a help for homework kind of place, but that was about it. Keep in mind though that the middle school I went to was ridiculously small. We were literally just to the side of the high school. Some kids went there, but I chose to go to a private one instead. There weren't that many students there to begin with. It was very small. All I was trying to say was how not everyone fits into the image of the sixth grade that you're painting. I definitely didn't when I was in the sixth grade.