Why I'm Excited About Middle Schools

By Stephanie Leon

In 2020 when the school district my children attend announced that they were thinking of moving toward combining some elementary schools to form an actual middle school, I was all for it. When I think of middle school I think of pre-teens, six different teachers, and kids from different schools merging into one. As a child I remember how excited I was to go to middle school. It was a transition that made me feel like a young adult. I felt like I was growing up. I knew that I would have six classes now and had to be responsible for changing from class to class while making sure I was on time. Although I was nervous, I felt like it was going to be an adventure. The middle school I attended transitioned three elementary schools into one school. I remember tons of new people and making new friends. There were so many new social groups, personalities, and activities that I would get to experience. I grew up in a small town with only six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Coming from a small town where everyone knew everyone and two middle schools fed into only one high school, I was not worried about the changes high school would bring.

In May of 2018, my husband and I decided to move our family to Arizona. We moved our children, two boys ages 10 and 11, from the school they had attended since kindergarten to a new school and state. We were worried about finding the right school and our kids making new friendships like the ones they left behind. We found Sonoran Heights Elementary School and loved it! For my boys who attended a charter school in California, which was K-6 with only one teacher, Sonoran Heights was a drastic change for them. My oldest son Eli started school at Sonoran Heights in 6th grade, so he was technically considered ‘a middle schooler.’ Eli had only one teacher in the past, but now he would have four teachers and must transition from class to class throughout the day. My other son, Kael, would now have two teachers that would divide his classes. It took them a little while to get used to the schedule, but eventually they were comfortable and happy in their new school.

Over the summer the announcement was made that our district would merge schools together and form actual middle schools. Sonoran Heights was chosen to transition into one of the middle schools. My youngest who was to start 8th grade heard the news and was a bit nervous. I explained to him how the change in schools would also be beneficial to his academics. Not only would he get to focus on each subject in a different class, but his teachers would also be able to give him the same focus. Each teacher would be able to develop an expertise in their content that they would be teaching during that class time. Not only did middle school bring new teachers and the addition of more classes, but it also brought new electives or specials. This year my son was able to enroll in Spanish class, which was not previously offered in his school. Also, this would give him the chance to make new friendships.

He was nervous about meeting new kids and about having to change to so many classes throughout the day. I saw just how nervous he was when we attendedback to school night. He seemed very overwhelmed while we met all six of his teachers in the order of his class schedule. I could not help but see the worry in his face walking through the halls and seeing many new faces. He admitted to me that he was worried about the new students and meeting new friends.

Then, the start of the school year finally arrived! The first week of school was hard for him, making sure he knew his schedule and teachers, but making friends in each class with the new kids on campus was easy for him. What a relief! With new and old friends, he was able to grow his social circle and introduce new friends to old friends. In the past few months, I have noticed more maturity and responsibility from him. The new classes are shorter in time, so he has more homework than he has had in the past. This has given him the opportunity to learn more time management at an earlier age. This is something that my older son, who is now a freshman, had to get a better concept of starting high school this year. The shorter class time allows for only the lesson of the day and some questions, and then it is time to move to the next period.

This year when my oldest son Eli started high school, he was not only nervous about meeting new friends, and seeing old friends, but also having six different classes and teachers. He did not have the same middle school experience that Kael is now getting to have with 6 different classes and teachers, no recess, just lunch and academics. During Eli’s 8th grade year he had four classes with four different teachers and plenty of time to complete assignments in groups with help from the teachers. There has been somewhat of a learning curve in time management for success with the start of high school. The first fewweeks were rough, but he eventually adjusted. Eli did mention to my youngest that high school was going to be easier now that he has had so many classes throughout the day. Some of the hardest adjustments Eli has had to make was getting used to the multiple classes and teachers, not being able to finish his homework in class, and often not having his same friends in all his classes throughout the day.

Although both of my sons were able to adapt to these changes, I think that had they both experienced a middle school environment from the start of 6th grade, they would have developed a different level of maturity, responsibility, and time management needed for high school success. This wonderful middle school experience has allowed our youngest some much needed pre-teen development. So many social groups, personalities, and activities have formed since the transition into middle school. I think it is great to take the initial ‘shock’ of high school out of the way and lessen the surprise of the transition. All in all, I have seen a great amount of growth and maturity from my ‘middle’ school son that I can attribute to the middle school experience that our school has provided.