How junior high works? (San Antonio, Anton: house, middle schools, cost)

[meridional]

My daughter is going to start 6th grade in San Antonio. Could you tell me how middle school works? I mean, do the students have to change classrooms, teachers, etc., etc? We are moving from Spain and we are not familiar with the American system. Over here, 6th grade is stiil elementary school.

We are a worried because our daughter is still 10 yo (she will be 11 on September 29) and still likes childish games, she likes to play hide and seek during recess, for instance. I think middle school students are interested in other things.

We want to have some information about middle school activities and we will appreciate if you could help us. Thank you.

[sapphire]

Yes, they change classes. I'm sure she'll do great! My son was in band for all of middle school and one of the events every year was having a bounce castle and blowup Sumo wrestling and they acted just like they were supposed to--like KIDS. They had a blast, even the 8th graders. Get her involved in the school activities, doesn't have to be band but something where she feels like she belongs and the rest will be a breeze.

Welcome to San Antonio.

[EntropyGuardian]

Kinder - 5th is elementary school. You have the same teacher all day, all year who teaches you multiple subjects. You have recess and have the same classmates.

6th - 8th is middle school. You have different teachers for different subjects divided into periods. This is where extra circulars like band or sports will start.

9th - 12th is Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior year of High School. Functionally identical to middle school.

[pobre]

I am a 5th grade teacher, so I am very aware of the transition from elementary to middle school. Generally, what the kids are worried about is very different than what the parents are worried about. And, in my experience, the parents are more worried than the kids

Not sure what district/school your daughter will attend but most are quite similar:

*8 class periods of about 45-50 minutes each, and about 4-5 minutes for passing.
*Students carry backpacks to schools, but usually store them in their lockers.
*Most kids will hit their lockers once during the school day, but not between every period.
*Some kids will have a locker for PE, and a locker for band/orchestra as well. Forgetting a locker combination is the #1 fear of incoming 6th graders. (There are lists of lockers combos that some teachers have to help kids, and they will. Have your daughter take a photo of her combo, and send that to you as well).
*Number two concern of incoming students is getting lost. Have her carry her schedule, and ANY teacher can help her!
*Lunch is longer than in elementary, and students may generally sit where they like. More food choices, too. I would pack a lunch the first few days, as the beginning of school the lines tend to be longer.
*While middle school will issue tardy slips for being late to each period, they are generally forgiving the first few weeks.
*Teachers are everywhere, especially during passing periods.
*Most MS have all of their academic courses in one area, and then cafeteria, gym, etc., may be in another area.
*No recess in MS. Rest assured, my 5th graders played hide and seek during recess, too!

Remember, ALL of the 6th graders are new to this changing classes concept, not just your daughter. And, most middle schools have 2-3-4 or more elementary schools feeding in, so not everyone knows everyone else.

It is very likely that they will have some sort of "camp" for incoming 6th graders, usually around the week before school starts. They will have them walk through their schedule, try out their lockers, etc. Please make every effort for her to attend.

As for activities, there will be info at the "camp". As well, clubs (after school) will have signups during lunchtime, or via posters in the hall, or morning announcements. Get involved, but don't over-commit.

She will have a blast!

[Chaka]

My daughter is in a K-8 school. The 6-8 grades are middle school but on the same campus. She was 9 in 4th grade when they started changing classes, though all rooms were next to each other. It was a little challenging at first for some of the kids, but they figured it out.

I've found that the kids in our middle school seem quite mature, but not so in that "pretend we're 16" way. The benefit to your daughter is that all the kids will be new to the school.

[flashfearless]

Just so that you know, it is not a nation-wide thing to start middle school in 6th grade. A lot of the country still waits until 7th grade. You just landed in an area which starts in 6th grade.

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by flashfearless

Just so that you know, it is not a nation-wide thing to start middle school in 6th grade. A lot of the country still waits until 7th grade. You just landed in an area which starts in 6th grade.

It wasn't always that way. When I was in middle school here (known as "Junior High" back then), it was 7th and 8th grade. 6th grade was still in Elementary. I guess it changed sometime around the 1980s.

[pobre]

Originally Posted by flashfearless

Just so that you know, it is not a nation-wide thing to start middle school in 6th grade. A lot of the country still waits until 7th grade. You just landed in an area which starts in 6th grade.

Originally Posted by ged_782

It wasn't always that way. When I was in middle school here (known as "Junior High" back then), it was 7th and 8th grade. 6th grade was still in Elementary. I guess it changed sometime around the 1980s.

The trend did start around the late 80's. Where I grew up (Massachusetts), they had the Jr. High model (grades 7 and 8), and now seemed to have switched to the middle school model.

I believe this shift came in when public Kindergarten became the norm. Having Kinder (and in some instances Pre-K) through grade 6 in one school was difficult, hence the switch. Also, having a school to house 2 grades was most likely not cost effective, especially as existing schools aged, and needed to be reconfigured/remodeled/rebuilt.

And, actually, some districts follow an intermediate school model: PK-3, 4-8, 9-12.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by pobre

And, actually, some districts follow an intermediate school model: PK-3, 4-8, 9-12.

I believe this is how SAISD's new Advanced Learning Academy will be similar, but PK-3, 4-12.

And some charters are K-4, 5-12.

SAISD is talking about expanding their academy options to have more k-8 schools. That means the middle schools will be much smaller.

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by meridional

My daughter is going to start 6th grade in San Antonio. Could you tell me how middle school works? I mean, do the students have to change classrooms, teachers, etc., etc? We are moving from Spain and we are not familiar with the American system. Over here, 6th grade is stiil elementary school.

We are a worried because our daughter is still 10 yo (she will be 11 on September 29) and still likes childish games, she likes to play hide and seek during recess, for instance. I think middle school students are interested in other things.

We want to have some information about middle school activities and we will appreciate if you could help us. Thank you.

She'll be fine. Many states used to have a similar system as Spain, in that you did not have to be five to start kindergarten, you just had to be born within the same calendar year. I didn't turn 11 until October of my sixth grade year, so most of my classmates were older. Since you're obviously an involved parent, a few months age difference should not be a factor. Do you know what district/attendance zone she'll attend?