But perhaps most important, K-8 school configurations tend to reduce aggression and disciplinary problems. Some educators believe that older children — who in a traditional junior high setting devote an inordinate amount of energy into "establishing" themselves in the junior high pecking order — are spared that indignity. Moreover, they tend to look out for the safety of younger children, who may be their own siblings. Parents are far more likely to stay involved in a school if several of their children attend the same school over a longer period of time.

There are some down sides, though. There's a world of difference between a kindergartner and an eighth-grader. There would need to be physical barriers and creative class scheduling to ensure that younger students are not exposed to issues that challenge older children. Other times, it may be perfectly appropriate for older students to mix with younger classmates, such as peer-tutoring programs or helping younger students with reading.

Schools and families need to do all they can to ensure vulnerable children don't fall through the cracks. Most children weather junior high or middle school just fine. But at-risk students are placed at even greater risk when they attend large junior highs where it is more difficult to identify students who need assistance, let alone rally the resources to help them.

I'll take a Callao Elementary School any day because it gives kids all the things that education research says they need to succeed — security, continuity and educational enrichment. In an urban setting, the closest thing to replicating that experience (school size notwithstanding) would be the K-8 school concept. Shouldn't we give city kids the benefit of the doubt?

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Marjorie Cortez is a Deseret Morning News editorial writer. E-mail her at marjorie@desnews.com.