What is the best grade configuration for grades K-8?

Question

Our private schools in the area are thinking about changing grade configuration. We have a new High School grades 9-12 with many area affiliated grade schools K-8. Two of the area grade schools are thinking about making "2 campuses one school". Splitting the grades into K-5 and 6-8. (They say it's because that's the way the text books divide them) The two existing grade schools are within 5 miles of each other with two more grade schools in the same city limits that are not involved at this time. Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with different grade configuration? My husband and I had traditional K-8 and 9-12. So we only know one way, but are interested in what's best for our childrens education. We vote on this October 1, 2006. We are looking for more research and opinions. Thank you.

Answer 1

I have taught fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth grade classes. I attended a k-6 elementary school, a 7-9 Junior High, and a 10-12 High school. Currently, I work at a k-8 school. K-5 classes are one teacher--one class, and 6-8 grades are teams of teachers.

Nationwide, K-8 is not the traditional school, except possibly in more rural areas. Typically, schools are k-5, 6-8, and 9-12. I've even seen primary elementary schools k-2, intermediate elementary schools 3-5, and middle schools 6-8, with high schools 9-12.

It has been my experience that schools are more effective as k-5, 6-8, & 9-12.

Regardless of the configuration, parents must learn to work cooperatively and proactively with their child's classroom teacher(s). Talk with other parents and learn who is an "effective teacher" and who is not. Also, parents must consider their child's personality and learning style and try to match a teacher with similar personalities and teaching styles. Class size is extremely important as well. (What is the students to teacher ratio?)

The student--teacher interaction is key! School configuration means little.

Off topic a little. I would consider not only how long the teacher has been teaching, but also how long the teacher has been teaching that grade level or subject area. Some research states that teachers teaching 5-15 years are most effective, but I am sure many, many other teachers will debate this. Take it for what's it is worth--play the averages.

Answer 2

That is going to be one emotional meeting. My children were going to a K-8 private school that was trying to make a transition to K-5 and 6-8. Most parents were against it. But, I went to a K-5/6-8 system, and my children are now in a k-6/7-8 system. I like the idea that the 8th graders were peers with kindergartners, but that is where it ended. I think the interests for middle schoolers is far different than k-about 4th no matter how much we tell ourselves that they need to be kids. They aren't. They need activities that are focused on them. In the K-8, they were always the "helpers" for activities like carnivals, science night, etc. In their own school, the focus is back on them. Also, it really does get them better prepared for high school setting.It was really hard to keep parents of the older kids in a K-8 involved because they figured they did their time. Well, in 6-8, they do stay involved because it's a new school, and they are the only parents!
Anyway, good luck with your decision. It's tough. There is good and bad, and so, I'm not going to quote all the research that supports one way or the other since I'm sure that has all been brought up. I'm glad you are thinking rationally rather than the ol' "that's the way it has always been".

Answer 3

I went to a public school from 1988-2001. We were split as follows: K-6, 7-8 (junior high), 9-12. Each grade set had different school (many, in fact, as I was in a large school district).

Most districts in the country now follow the "Middle School" theory, that puts the 6th grade with the 7th and 8th graders. My old district does that now. However, I think it's a terrible idea. People wonder why kids grow up so fast now, and I believe that one of the reasons is that they promoted the 6th graders to a more mature school setting instead of leaving them in the Elementary school.

I've done some reading on K-8 schools, and while I never attended one, it really seems to have some benefits. The presence of younger children seems to make many older children more responsible and respectful. It gives the older kids the benefits of working with and being in an enviroment with the younger kids. K-8 has my vote.

Answer 4

the system i was schooled in was different, but it worked very well...this was the public school system...


k-6........elementary
7-9........junior high school
10-12....high school


the parochial system kept the "standard" groupings...

k-8........elementary
9-12......high school