middle school

     Middle school has been the norm for years now, replacing the older junior high in many areas. Teachers in Pennsylvania are certified to teach either grades 7 through 12, or grades 1 through 6. So a middle school for grades 6 through 8 has to have two sets of teachers to remain a state-accredited school--one set of elementary teachers, for the grade 6 pupils, and one set of middle or high school subject teachers, for grades 7 and 8.  These rules are often "bent" for practical reasons. The middle schools need a real-life solution.