Elementary School
- Students have one or two teachers that teach every subject.
- Students typically stay in one or two classrooms all day long.
- Students have recess.
- Students attend P.E. in the clothes they wear to school.
- Students have their own desk to keep their belongings.
- Students have 30 or so minutes of homework each evening.
- Most elementary schools don’t offer extracurricular activities after school.
- Most elementary schools do not offer elective classes during the day.
- Students walk with their classes and teacher in a line to move around the building.
- School buildings are smaller with classrooms organized in groups or pods.
- Students have limited independence and must be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Students sit with their class in the cafeteria at lunch.
- Fifth graders go to school with students who are younger and often smaller than they are.
- Students receive specific guidance from teachers in school work.
Middle School
- Students have as many as six or seven different teachers and classes.
- Students change classrooms each hour to go to different classes.
- There is no recess in middle school.
- Students are required to change into P.E. clothes in locker rooms with their peers.
- Students may be assigned a locker or be expected to carry their belongings with them.
- Students have homework from each class, resulting in more homework.
- Middle schools offer extracurricular activities including sports, clubs, choir, band, student council and many others.
- Middle schools offer elective classes where students can study art, band, orchestra, choir, foreign languages, theater arts, and many more subjects.
- Students will move on their own during passing periods when changing classes and going to lunch.
- School buildings are larger with many classrooms organized in hallways by subject.
- There are after school activities like pep rallies, dances, homework help, football games and clubs.
- Students may be free to choose where they sit in the cafeteria at lunch.
- First year middle school students go to school with older, often bigger students.
- School work is more challenging and includes more homework and tests.