Middle level schools have many grade configurations. The key is whether the school includes grade 7. Any school that includes grade 7 is a middle level school. Most middle level schools are grades 6-8, and that's the grade configuration with which most people are familiar. There are, though, other grade configurations, including 5-8, 5-9, 7-8, 7-9, and even K-8.

Interestingly, the middle level school is the only part of our American school system that is truly American. The concept of a middle level school, began as "junior" high schools about 100 years ago to educate the "non" college bound pupil. The term "middle" school began being used in the early 1960's. Even though both the "junior" high school and the "middle" school are intended for the same age group, the 12 to 14 year old, there are differences. The following table displays the differences.

To learn more about the middle school concept visit the web site of the National Middle School Association (NMSA) at http://www.nmsa.org/ .