Middle school in Charlottesville is difficult. The three major schools, Henley, Sutherland and Burley all have issues related to the limited focus on curriculum development. The schools have limited access to elective course, foreign language classes. The middle students are placed in mixed groups that include students on grade level to two years below. Only in 8th grade is some differernation allowed and by then the students are so stuck in the path they have no place to move. The very low students and very high students have most of the attention of the school and county administration. I would highly recommend a private middle school.