I am more concerned with 9th grade moving to High School!! I went to Middle School (6th-8th) and High School (9th-12th) so that is what was "normal" to me, but I look at it so differently having a daughter that will be heading into 9th grade in a couple years. I don't like the idea of having 9th grade girls in the same school with 12th grade boys!!! I remember freshmen dating seniors!! As a parent, I'm scared! Ugh!
They treat the 6th graders like they are in middle school somewhat at the elementary schools already, letting them change classrooms, etc. So again, I don't think moving the 6th graders to Middle School is as big a deal. I feel like grouping 6th-8th makes more sense than 7th-9th... I think the 7th try to be "older" like the 8th & 9th graders, so I hope having 6th-8th will keep them a little "younger" if that makes any sense.....