middle school

American  

noun

1. a school intermediate between elementary school and high school, usually encompassing grades five or six through eight.

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middle school British  

noun

1. (in England and Wales) a school for children aged between 8 or 9 and 12 or 13 Compare first school

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Etymology

Origin of middle school

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Zoe Thompson, a 14-year-old still in middle school, could one day become part of an unprecedented trio: three siblings on the U.S. women’s national soccer team.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

By fall 2025, 1 of 12 entering students was placed into remedial math to learn material taught in elementary and middle school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

But Talarico, a former middle school teacher and seminarian, has energized Democrats, who hope that record-setting campaign fundraising could help flip the seat.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

The report said 70% of those students fell below middle school levels.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Abe was in middle school, just a year older than Barry and Jay.

From "I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis

Related Words

• junior high
• secondary school