The Washington Post reports that some area eighth-graders have taken charge of their education by petitioning to stay in middle school for another year.  It's true, there are students who are requesting to stay in middle school for an additional year.  Sounds crazy to me, but, apparently, the kids have good reason.  Their argument is that the D.C. area high schools are too chaotic and unorganized while their middle school, which has significantly improved over the last year, can provide a stronger academic foundation that they will need in 10th grade. These students make an interesting argument.  I know first hand of students who are not ready, whether academically, socially, or emotionally, for the challenge and change of high school but are pushed on anyway.  They tend to struggle for a year or two and by the time they are ready for high school, they are behind, failing, miserable, and hopeless.  Although it sounds like a nightmare to me, the idea of remaining in middle school may work for some students. I would question, however, if the presence of much older students will effect the young sixth and seventh grade students attending the same middle school.  The middle school concept relies heavily on the seperation of age groups which may be more difficult with an additional group in the mix.  These students argue that their middle school has such strong administration and equally strong teachers but by staying behind they may be impeeding their fellow students from experiencing what they have.