Schools for early adolescents

Special schools for early adolescents have become a significant component of American education. These schools have their roots in the later years of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century. A wide variety of forces have converged to bring about two major approaches to middle level education-the junior high school and then the middle school. This article briefly traces the development of these schools, partially compares them, and suggests characteristics needed in middle level schools, whatever their grade organization.