Are Middle Schools Good for Student Academic Achievement? Evidence from Ontario

In neighbourhoods with falling student populations, policymakers should place a priority on closing middle schools and, elsewhere, avoid opening new ones. In this report, the author shows that middle school attendance increases the chance that students will fail provincially administered achievement tests, compared to similar students who stay in the same school through Grade 8. The report concludes that in regions with falling student populations, policymakers should place a priority on closing middle schools and, elsewhere, avoid opening new ones.