Jennifer Hammond's sixth graders at Post Falls Middle School are seen Sept. 8 during their first week as middle schoolers. "It is amazing to watch the growth of a sixth grader," Hammond said. "They start the school year nervous and excited about the changes they are getting ready to face as they enter a large middle school."
September 14, 2023
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Welcome to middle school
Sixth graders enter new territory as secondary students
They've gone from being big fish in little ponds to little fish in big ponds. "My dad was telling me that’s how it was going to be," said Kellen Powell, a new sixth grader at Lakes Middle School. “I thought it was going to be really confusing going to each class, but honestly, I like it more than elementary," he said. "It’s more entertaining than just staying in one class all day. I like all the varieties of subjects and exploratory." He said he's actually enjoyed traveling from class to class every hour. "It’s way more fun," he said. North Idaho's 11- and 12-year-olds are learning the ropes as they find their ways around their first few weeks as secondary schoolers.