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

I grew up Missouri Synod Lutheran, went to a Lutheran elementary school, public, middle school and high school, but definitely the Bible and family worship were central to my upbringing.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

He was part of a band in middle school that performed songs he wrote, while a budding songwriting career began in his university years.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

INGLEWOOD, Calif.—Siblings Wendell and Whitney Cole became fans of Kanye West, the artist who now goes by Ye, when they were in middle school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

There was a year in middle school when I was sick often enough that the doctor’s office felt a bit like a second address.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Benji had wavy brown hair, braces, and zits and would probably grow a mustache before they were out of middle school.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

Related Words

• junior high
• secondary school