Taking Middle Schoolers out of the Middle

This article mainly covers the debate whether there should be a middle school or just K-8 or 6-12 school systems. One side argues that getting rid of the middle school would be beneficial because it already poses as a traumatic time in their life, so introducing another change like middle school would just be even more harmful. If they stayed in the same school from kindergarten on, they would have the comfort and support of the teachers and environment that adolescents at that age need. The other argument says it would be more favorable for these middle aged students to attend a 6-12 school. By having the younger students attend a school with older children, they are more likely to have positive role models to strive towards and an environment that promotes excelling in activities like sports. A part of this argument was that if we could get the students in the high school longer, they could work with developing their skills for college longer and it would help increase the number of students who attend continued education. However, what the students really need are not a reconfiguration of schools, but an affective curriculum with smaller class sizes, personal attention and teachers that are understanding, enthusiastic, and prepared.
I think that getting rid of middle schools is a terrible idea. I can’t imagine sending one of my sixth grade children to a school with 11th and 12th graders. We have considered the idea that they will have greater opportunities to start their college counseling earlier and will be influenced to excel in particular areas, but have we thought about the negative consequences? As a health educator’s perspective, I would be nervous about the younger children being introduced to and participating in risky behaviors earlier on like drinking, smoking, and partaking in sexual relationships. School systems can say they will control the environment but there is only so much they can do to prevent such occurrences. If we eliminate middle schools, teen pregnancies will increase and alcohol and drug use among adolescents will sky rocket! (A little radical I know, but to get my point across, it would not be a good environment for younger students!!!)
This would affect me greatly as a teacher, especially considering I’m going into health education. Not only would I have to start teaching subjects I wouldn’t normally teach earlier on, but I would probably be faced with dealing with these problems with students I wouldn’t normally have to worry about.