Several districts have taken a radical approach to middle/high school transitions, removing ninth-graders from the mix to give them the attention needed to succeed in high school. Three ninth-grade-only schools with 720 to 750 students in Virginia, Texas, and Pennsylvania are profiled. Students experience less social pressure from upper-classmen.…

Online education may help address the challenges of growing student enrollment, overcrowded schools, outdated buildings, teacher shortages, scheduling conflicts, limited educational opportunities (especially advanced-placement classes), and other equity concerns. Snapshots of virtual high schools in Florida, Kentucky, and West Virginia are…