For the past few years, our school district has been very focused on this issue. We started out thinking these grades would be with our K-4 schools, but our investigations have affirmed what national research has shown: "Educationally, developmentally, and socially, 5th and 6th graders are more appropriately placed in the middle school setting." Some desirable elementary elements we don’t wish to give up at this age will continue, like self-contained classrooms in a separate wing and a fenced playground space just for the younger students.