Middle School Versus Junior High
Distinctions Between Middle Schools and Junior High Schools for Students
© Amy Horn
Middle schools and junior high schools serve students in grades 6-8 in vastly different ways. Some schools blur the lines, but several distinctions are clear cut.
Many schools that serve students in grades 6-8 have middle school as part of their name. But are they true middle schools or are they really junior high schools? The entire middle school concept is explained and can be studied in a variety of places and publications. And although some schools may blur the line between being a middle school or a junior high school in different areas, there are some definite distinctions that identify a school's structure, format, and philosophy-making it lean toward one side more than the other.
So, who cares, right?
Everyone invested in the school should care since the overall concept of any school affects every aspect of the school. From school improvement plans, to mission statements, to master schedules and class sizes-schools arrive at these decisions based on how they define themselves. And, these decisions affect two groups of stakeholders directly: students and teachers. This week we'll examine the components tied to students, while next week we'll do the same for teachers. The following is a list, in theory, of distinctions between middle schools and junior high schools for students, adapted from The Definitive Middle School Guide: A Handbook for Success (1993) by Imogene Forte and Sandra Schurr.
Middle School
- Student-Centered
- Fosters collaboration of students
- Affective and cognitive growth are emphasized
- Focuses on creative explorations and experimentation of subject matter
- Varies length of time students are in courses
- Offers high interest exploratory coursework
- Advisory program = teacher-oriented guidance
- Athletics organized around intramural concept
Junior High School
- Subject-Centered
- Fosters competition of students
- Cognitive development is first priority
- Focuses on mastery of concepts and skills in separate disciplines
- Offers subjects for one semester or one year
- Provides highly structured activity program after school
- Study hall = access to counselor upon request
- Athletics organized around interscholastic concept
Some schools align completely with the framework of one side or the other. Many schools combine elements of both for a variety of reasons: philosophical issues, time constraints, financial demands, etc. Administrators, teachers, and parents can make judgments regarding what works and what doesn't work for their students and children. And, they can look into research and reports that discuss the good, better, and best practices out there. The National Middle School Association (NMSA) is a good place to start. However, it's important for everyone involved to remember that decisions should always be made based on what is in the best interests of the students-whether they are in a middle school, a junior high school, or a combination of both. Focus on students first, and the rest will follow.
