A middle school (also known as intermediate school or junior high school) is an educational stage which exists in some countries, providing education between primary school and high school. The concept, regulation and classification of middle schools, as well as the ages covered, vary between, and sometimes within, countries.
In Afghanistan, middle school consists of grades 6, 7 and 8. Besides there is a change in the scenario.
In Albania, middle school is included in the primary education which lasts 9 years and attendance is mandatory.
In Algeria, a middle school includes grades 6 through 10, consisting of students from ages 10 or 11 to 15.
Most regions of Australia do not have middle schools, as students go directly from primary school (for years K–6) to secondary school (years 7–12, usually referred to as high school).
As an alternative to the middle school model, some secondary schools divided their grades into "junior high school" (years 8, 9 and 10) and "senior high school" (years 11 and 12.) Some have 3 levels, "junior" (years 7 and 8), "intermediate" (years 9 and 10), and "senior" (years 11 and 12).
In 1996 and 1997, a national conference met to develop what became known as the National Middle Schooling Project, which aimed to develop a common Australian view of
The first middle school established in Australia was The Armidale School, in Armidale (approximately 370 km (230 mi) north of Sydney, 360 km (220 mi) SSW of Brisbane and approximately 140 km (87 mi) due west of Coffs Harbour on the coast). Other schools have since followed this trend.
The Northern Territory has introduced a three tier system featuring Middle Schools for years 7–9 (approximate age 13–15) and high school year 10–12 (approximate age 16–18).