I don't know if placing Middle School Children in High School starting at the 6th grade, or forcing them to stay behind in an elementary school until 8th, will make a huge difference in and of itself. Rushing students into high school is only going to put more pressure on them to grow up faster. A principal notes in the story that it may help the children become motivated towards school because they will be surrounded by college bound peers. But aside from mentioning their rule against high school seniors dating eigth graders, they do not mention the negative ways in which middle school children may attempt to appear more grown to fit in.

Given that most of the schools considering taking these measures are schools that are having problems, it only seems that this could exacberate them. It's hard in a high school setting, especially in overcrowded schools, to monitor students' activivtes that closely as is.

The other option of keeping them in elementary school longer seems the better of the two options. This is based more on personal experience than research but the social support often given in K-8 settings are normally extremely beneficial to the student. It becomes more like a home away from home and when preteens are going through many changes and hard times, that could often serve as a comfort zone for them.

But regardless of where exactly they choose to place the students during these grades, they should really put more emphasis on smaller class sizes. Also, while many middle schooler's look forward to changing classes and having lockers, they should work to also provide more consistency. Maybe by having a period for extra help with homework or having smaller, more intimate settings to discuss issues they are facing at that age or will be facing soon. Having one teacher or counselor who is their "main" person to go to and who they see and converse with on a regular basis, instead of being shuffled around, may do the trick.