What is the difference between Elementary School, Middle School, and High School?

What Students and Parents want to know!

Similarities/Differences between Elementary School, Middle School and HighSchool

Topic / Elementary School / Middle School / High School
School/Grade Size / Elementary school populations are between 350 to over 475 students.
Grade levels range from 50 – 80 students. / GMS has about 740 to 800 Students.
There are about 260 students/grade level. / GHS has about 1,200 Students.
There are about 300 students/ grade level.
# of Teachers/Classes / Generally students have 1 classroom teacher plus Music, Art, P.E., and Guidance. / GMS has about 60 teachers.
Students have five house teachers plus three fine and related arts teachers. / GHS has about 80 teachers.
Students have 7 teachers – schedule changes each semester.
Starting/Dismissal Times / Official school times are 8:45 AM. –
3:26 PM. / Official school times are 7:30 AM –
2:41 PM.
Building empty by 3:00 PM unless involved in organized activity or athletic teams. / Official school times are 7:30 AM –
2:41 PM.
Building empty by 3:30 PM unless involved in organized activity or athletic teams.
Bus/Dismissal / Various bus and parent pick up procedures. / Busses pick students up in front of building.
Parent Pick up at south parking lot. / Students are dismissed from last class at 2:41PM and go straight to bus.
Bus leaves high school at 2:50 PM.
Topic / Elementary School / Middle School / High School
Communication between home and school / Teachers and principalsuse electronic newsletters, websites and/or update blogs regularly. / Communication is mainly sent electronically – teacher websites, infinite campus,
e-mail, etc. / Communication is mainly sent electronically – 4 school newsletters throughout the year, teacher websites, infinite campus,
e-mail, Moodle, etc.
Schedule / Students in grade K5-5th grade often stay in the same classroom with the same teacher for many core subjects/activities. Specials (Art, Music, P.E. & Guidance) meet at certain times/days during the week. / GMS is house based. There are two houses per grade. The five core classes meet every day. Students have fine and related arts courses daily, the classes rotate. / GHS is a seven period day. Each period is 50 minutes. Students attend the same classes each day. Homeroom is 20 minutes on Friday.
Reported Grades / Students receive trimester report cards. / Assignments and grades are posted on Infinite Campus. Progress reports posted every 3 weeks. / Assignments and grades are posted on infinite campus. Progress reports can be found online.
Academic Resource/Support / Scheduled as needed. (Supported by: El Teacher, Title I Teacher, Instructional Coaches, Instructional Aides, Special Ed support rooms) / Students have a 26 minute support/
intervention time daily. / GO Time- 25 minutes per day. Students can schedule this time with any teacher.
Topic / Elementary School / Middle School / High School
Practice work at home / Students usually have nightly reading and may have a short math/writing assignment as well. / Homework daily. Students usually have daily math work and project driven assignments. / Homework daily.
Organization / Teacher support with organization. / Students use agendas and assignment notebooks to stay organized. 6th grade students use a home- work folder. / Organization is student driven.
Supplies / Supplies are determined by grade level/classroom teacher. A supply list is posted on the school webpage. / Each grade level has a supply list as well as additional items necessary for individual classes. A supply list is posted on the school webpage. / Individual classes will share a supply list at the beginning of the school year. Supply lists can usually be found on the teacher’s syllabus.
Where to keep supplies, books, coats, etc. / Students keep their supplies in cubbies and within the classroom.
Many supplies are shared. / Students are assigned their own locker. Supplies are kept in lockers and in some classrooms. Book bags are not allowed in classrooms due to space. / Students are provided a general locker and a gym locker. Supplies are kept in lockers and in book bags. Students may take book bags to class. Gym lockers are for P.E. classes and gym supplies. Separate athletic lockers are issued for team sports.
Recess / Students typically have 30 minutes of recess each day. / Students may go to designated play areas after they are done with lunch. / Students do not have recess.
Topic / Elementary School / Middle School / High School
Breakfast and Lunch / Breakfast is served each morning before school. For lunch students may eat hot lunch or bring their own. All students in the same grade level eat together. Students are encouraged to be social with friends. / Breakfast is served each morning before school. Students get a 30 minute lunch, they may eat hot lunch or bring their own. / Breakfast is served each morning before school. For lunch students may eat hot lunch or bring their own.
Library Usage / Classes are scheduled once per week in the library. Individual library passes may be issued throughout the school day. / Library is open for use throughout the day. Usually the English Language Arts class visits the library every other week. Some classes use the library for small group inquiry.
Students can access LMC during lunch. / Library is open for individual student use throughout the day.
Moving through the hallways / Teachers lead class movements. Students may be sent to specific classrooms throughout the day. / At GMS there are no bells. There is a 3 minutes passing time. This time can be used to go to locker, restroom, etc. with priority on making it to the next class on time. / Students move independently throughout the hallways. GHS uses bells and has a 4 minute passing time.
Activities, Organizations and Signing up Procedures / Park and Rec. activities are offered for all students.
Different activities and groups offered at each building.
Chorus is available for students in upper grades. / GMS offers a variety of athletics and activities for students to join. Students may join academic based activities, athletic teams, intramurals, and social clubs. / Athletics and Activities are listed on the school webpage. An Athletics Meeting is offered at 8th grade orientation.
Topic / Elementary School / Middle School / High School
Leadership Opportunities / Varies by building. Some examples of leadership opportunities are: peer tutors, bus buddies, safety patrol, student council and student leadership team, etc. / Leadership opportunities are available throughout the year. Some examples of leadership opportunities include: student council, sports teams, student mentors, and more. / GHS offers many different leadership roles for students. Some examples include: link crew, JROTC, National Honor Societies, sports teams, band, drama, student council, grade level officers, diversity club, and more.
Summer School / Elementary summer school is for grades K-6. Summer school is four weeks and offered by grade level. / Summer school is for grades 7 and 8 in four week offerings. Student may take math, literacy, drama, and engineering classes. / Summer school is offered for grades 9 through 12 and provides accelerated, enriched, and credit recovery classes. Each class is 2 hours. Summer school is offered for 6 weeks.

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