Where Should 6th Graders Go?

During the 6th grade students go through some major physical and emotional changes. They are learning to be more independent now and the relationships within their family change because of this. It can be hard to know if they are still in the maturity level of elementary school or if they have reached the maturity level of junior high or middle school.

A recent study by Duke University showed that it was not good for 6th graders to be lumped into "middle school". This resulted in lower test scored and an increase in behavioral problems. Some say that 6th graders are not mature enough to deal with the behavior of 7th and 8th graders. They will typically copy the behaviors of the older student but not have the maturity for certain situation. Most are of the opinion that they are just a bit too old for the 5th grade mingling. And most teachers are of the mind that the 5th graders should not be lumped with older students as is the case in some schools where they put 5th through 8th grades together.

This is an odd debate. In some places they have had 6th grade centers where the 6th grade is a separate school of it's own. They all come from 5th grade, get what they need for this crucial developmental year and then get dispersed into junior high school (grades 7 to 9).

Typical developmental milestones of a 6th grader include:

• Appetite fluctuates rather sharply
• May seem disproportionate physically
• Girls may have growth spurts
• Interest in sports spikes (watching or playing)
• Preoccupation with appearance and self image - self esteem easily bruised
• Very interested in bodily changes
• Tires easily, may be considered lazy
• Emotional changes due to puberty
• Can vacillate between seeming mature and immature from moment to moment
• Hard on themselves, very sensitive, may try to hide feelings
• Really needs parental help but tries to resist it as part of becoming independent
• Likes to be "stylish"
• Likes to belong to a group
• Popularity becomes a big deal
• Gets very critical of parents
• Awareness of sexual feelings arises
• Longer attention span
• Becomes very opinionated

Because 6th grade can be a difficult time due to changes in physical and emotional nature it is hard to say that the whole group belongs in one place. Some kids at this age will tend to be much more mature than others so there really is not a "one size fits all" solution to this problem. However, when you look at studies like the Duke University that show what happens when they are put with older teens before they are ready the result is not good. That may be an indicator that the discussion should continue among teachers, parents and administrators so that the best solution can be found.