Question
My girls have the option of staying put for middle school or going to South Miami Middle. (Musical theater for one and broadcast journalism for the other). One can sing and I want to foster that. Their current school is very small (more than half the kids will probably leave for middle school) and is limited in their offering-plus they will be in the same class and there is only one 6th grade class. As you know they do not get along but it's a bubble and I know all of the teachers, parents etc. Do I keep them in the bubble or let them be exposed to the good and the bad a big middle school has to offer??
Answer
I'm not a fan of most K-8 schools. A lot of them tend to treat the middle school students like elementary school kids and then when they go to high school they have not attained the planning, organizing, social and independent skills they need to succeed in high school .
I'm not familiar with their school, but it is a charter. Most charters have the same type of curriculum and standards of treating middle schoolers younger than they are. SO ask the school how they plan to teach them planning, organizing, independence and social skills.
Just the fact that you called it a "bubble" makes me want to say "get out now".
Middle school is a very important time for launching into adulthood. The worst thing we can do for 11-14 year olds is protect them from practicing and learning how to be a teen and an adult.
South Miami Middle school and its programs are one of the best in the city. You would be moving them to an excellent setting especially if they are interested in the arts and broadcasting.