The middle grades degree seems to be rather more heavy on emotional development and less so on subject matter, although I know some very good middle grades teachers.
I think most 9th graders currently are too immature for high school (they tend to have more discipline referrals and failures than the other 3 grades combined, in my experience) and I'd rather see 6th graders back at the elementary school.
You are right it is about the emotions of the little darlings.
Put them in a Junior High School for 7 and 8th grade. Think of it as a quick boot camp for High School.
Kids need to get with the program and learn life is coming hard and fast.
‘The idea of middle school was supposed to be that teachers there were uniquely qualified to address the social and emotional needs of adolescents, in addition to teaching them subject matter.
But in reality, things being the way they are, any teacher who is any good avoids teaching in middle school. Only the worst teachers are willing to take the job - all others opt either for cute little kids, or teenagers who might conceivably be mature enough to want to learn something.