The difference between seventh and eighth grade
October 13, 2019
It is a fact known among the public that the difference between 7th and 8th graders is a major one. According to Scholastic Magazine, “These changes coincide with the transition to middle school, which demarcates the shift to adolescence as we think of it.” Experts and society know this fact to be a true one, but what are the major differences, and what do the students think?

Photo taken by: Annelise Kemter
Coming into the school the kids had different ideas of what was to come. Whether it be that Dobie would be confusing or Dobie was going to be horrible, preconceived ideas and opinions were made.
The seventh graders were especially confounded come the first day, Emilia Serrano (7th) said, “Not really because I heard there were more fights.” Emma Ybanez, another 7th grader, said, “No, I was expecting the teachers to be a little harsher, and the classes to be hard. They’re not that hard.”
Daphne Wiederstein, an 8th grader at Dobie, said the biggest difference between the two grade levels is experience level. “Seventh graders are more stressed and haven’t found their place in the mess of Dobie,” she said.
This was a common theme between the levels. It makes sense considering 7th graders are new to the school and can be a colossal transition from the intermediate schools to junior high.
Wiederstein, when asked about her first week said, “The start to 8th grade was really great, I like a lot of my classes and it’s a lot better than 7th because I feel like I have more freedom and more classes with my friends.” Whereas Emma Ybanez, a 7th grader, revealed, “It was terrible because I didn’t know where anything was at.”
There is a clear distinction between the two levels. The seventh graders were going into a new school, blind and scared. The eighth-graders, however, seemed more confident and relaxed about the new year.
Aiden Mitchell, an 8th grader at Dobie said, “Eighth grade is just like seventh grade, just sadder.”

Joseph Morrison, a 7th grader, said confidence is gained with experience. “Seventh graders are more scared. 8th graders know what to do already and are confident in it [how to behave at Dobie],” he said.
No one expected the students to be too similar, but the one year age gap became the line between maturity and immaturity, enjoying school and despising school, among many other varying traits. 12 and 13 year olds may seem like they have a lifetime between them, but it’s only a year. One year. Don’t let life get ahead of you, because that one year truly is a lot.
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My name is Annelise Kemter, I’m an 8th grader at Dobie Jr High. When I grow up I want to be an environmental engineer. I enjoy journalism because I’ve...
I like how well written it is, good job!
great job it was very interesting.
This is very true. 8th has been a lot calmer and so what easier, while in 7th I was a lot more stressed and was unsure about things.
the story is well written and it really shows the difference between the two grades
I like how well the story was written, and the use of large words!!!
Very well written and shows the differences between the two grades very well!
I really like this article! I’m a fan of your writing style. I liked that there were multiple people interviewed. It shows different perspectives and opinions.
This is very true. 8th has been a lot calmer and some what easier, while in 7th it was a lot more stressed and I was unsure about things.
I like the way they show people’s thoughts on it, I could really relate to how they feel, I also like the different points of view.
Its very stressful
I love how you get different opinions from different people of their perspectives about school