K-8 vs. K-5/K-6

[Anonymous]

I am a product of the elementary schools of DC's Georgetown area: Hyde, Fillmore, and Jackson. We went K-6. The teachers taught two grade levels in one classroom. I had the same teacher for 1st and 2nd, the same teacher for 3rd & 4th, different teachers for 5th & 6th due to retirement. The class size was between 32-36, 16-18 per grade. One principal headed all three schools. She knew names, siblings, & parents. The teachers knew us well and could list your strengths and weaknesses. They also taught us well. (I wasn't one of the students who put in the strongest effort, but I got a lot of return anyway...) When I arrived at junior high, I found myself well prepared and quite competent. I needed this strong academic foundation because as a growing teen, I was feeling like a mess. It gave me success in one area of my life as I spiked and sank with the struggles of growing upward, outward, and emotionally.

The K-6 or K-8 discussion doesn't stick in my mind as relevant to the educational needs of that time in my life. It was my parent's expectations first and foremost, then the quality of the teachers and their expectations come next, the caring of the principal who made sure I knew I was noticed and noted, and then my peers who were expected to make academic progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I doubt Mo Co will change from middle to K-8. However, one of the other PPs mentioned that his/her system was looking into that: "In our area, there is talk of moving ALL public elementary schools to the K-8 model." But I don't know where PP lives.

I live in Prince George's County. One part of the redrawing of boundaries in this county is to free up more space to convert more elementary schools to k-8.

[Anonymous]

Is NY state looking at going K-8?
I heard that the behavior problems in middle school undermine the benefits of differentiated instruction.