The transition from middle school to high school can be extremely difficult for some, as there are many differences between the two. “The switch to high school can be disastrous if a child doesn 't make the transition smoothly -- more kids fail ninth grade than any other grade.” There are similarities, but the differences outnumber the similarities greatly. Middle schoolers for the most part are partaking in a difficult and confusing time in their lives, as puberty is ongoing. Mary Tamer writes is her , “there is a healthy amount of trepidation around middle school and the middle school years.” By high school most students have finished their awkward phase of puberty and have become more …show more content…
In high school there are a plethora of options. There are required courses, obviously, but in general the student is given much more freedom with which classes they desire to enroll in. “Sixth grade is American history, seventh grade is pre-algebra, and that 's about it. High school is a whole new ballgame, with seemingly endless choices” One of the largest differences between middle school and high school is that in high school grades count. Middle school grades in reality don’t mean much, and middle school is more of a stepping stone than anything else. Students learn about themselves and define themselves in middle school. In high school grades mean a lot. Good grades can be the difference between being accepted into a good school and being denied. Students understand, and in general will work harder to keep up. The differences between high school and middle school are great in number. The differences make the transition extremely difficult for some, and for others the changes are welcomed. In the end, both high school and middle school are just small bridges on the path of life, that will undoubtedly contribute to where a person will