Beginning Middle School: Pre-Teen Trauma

Although there is variation within individual school districts about how the several levels of public education are divided and arranged, the most common configuration is often this: Primary School, grades K - 5; Middle School, Grades 6 - 8; and High School, grades 9 - 12. There are many variations on this model as there are on arrangement of the school year, curriculum and school design - but the three divisions, in some form, are quite common. Years ago, the common design was a bit different. The concept of "Middle School" has a predecessor called Junior High School that often ran from grades 7 - 8 or 9.

This design has become, for reasons I, as a former educator, school site administrator (Principal) and current therapist of school age children, am unclear and have reservations about. The change from Primary to Middle School at grade six presents at least a challenge and, often in my experience, a genuinely traumatic experience for many children - one the 'system' seems not to adequately acknowledge of help students prepare for. So, like so many other things, the preparation and helping to get kids ready for change, falls squarely on the shoulders of the parents.

It is important to be aware of the several important changes that occur for the child who has entered Middle School. Firstly, that special relationship with the individual classroom teacher they have enjoyed for the past six years is over. They will now move (in most schools) from class to class and from teacher to teacher - in a way that mirrors the design of High School. No one teacher is apt to get to know them well as they will see and be seen by each one for only one period a day. The entire educational process becomes, categorically and intentionally less personal.