A Bump In The Road

The middle school concept, in my opinion, creates a bump in the road to the academic and social growth of the children the schools are educating. It disrupts the flow of the social and academic growth of the developing child. Research and anecdotal evidence all over the country shows that doing this is perhaps doing the opposite of what it was intended to do – instead of helping the kids through the rapid changes they’re going through at this age, the middle school is adding to the challenges the kids are facing. Moving to a new unfamiliar environment at 6th grade – to a larger school with teachers they don’t know, with kids they don’t know, with more demands and stress heaped on them – is not the way to make their lives a smooth transition during this difficult time.

The answer in my opinion and in the opinion of many across the country is the conversion back to K-8 Schools. The North Adams School District will be considering the feasibility of this conversion over the next few weeks and months. Your input is welcome.