Transition to Middle School

What are the main differences between middle school and elementary school?

	Elementary School	Middle School
Curriculum	Most subjects (except for specialists like music & PE) are taught by one teacher in the same classroom.	Each subject is taught by a different teacher in a different classroom, students move from classroom to classroom.
Student Responsibilities	Students develop academic goals then the students, teachers, and parents work together to attain goals. Direct teacher/parent/student/counselor communication is encouraged.	Students develop academic goals and manage those goals on their own with guidance from teachers. Direct teacher/student/counselor communication is encouraged, students learn to advocate for themselves.
Student Clubs	Most clubs and after school programs are run by PTSA volunteers and/or through vendors operating with a contract between vendor and PTSA.	Most clubs are run by the ASB.
Parent Involvement	Multiple in-class parent volunteer opportunities and teacher communication are available.	Limited in-classroom volunteers, occasional event volunteer opportunities offered by PTSA.
Teacher Communication	****Teachers typically send weekly classroom updates as well as meet each term for parent/teacher conferences. Additional parent/teacher/counselor meetings are available upon request.	Students are expected to advocate for themselves by taking responsibility for teacher communication. There are no scheduled parent/teacher conferences. Teacher/counselor meetings can be scheduled upon request.

Elementary School

Middle School

Curriculum

Most subjects (except for specialists like music & PE) are taught by one teacher in the same classroom.

Each subject is taught by a different teacher in a different classroom, students move from classroom to classroom.

Student Responsibilities

Students develop academic goals then the students, teachers, and parents work together to attain goals. Direct teacher/parent/student/counselor communication is encouraged.

Students develop academic goals and manage those goals on their own with guidance from teachers.
Direct teacher/student/counselor communication is encouraged, students learn to advocate for themselves.

Student Clubs

Most clubs and after school programs are run by PTSA volunteers and/or through vendors operating with a contract between vendor and PTSA.

Most clubs are run by the ASB.

Parent Involvement

Multiple in-class parent volunteer opportunities and teacher communication are available.

Limited in-classroom volunteers, occasional event volunteer opportunities offered by PTSA.

Teacher Communication

Teachers typically send weekly classroom updates as well as meet each term for parent/teacher conferences. Additional parent/teacher/counselor meetings are available upon request.

Students are expected to advocate for themselves by taking responsibility for teacher communication. There are no scheduled parent/teacher conferences. Teacher/counselor meetings can be scheduled upon request.