In our area, some middle schools have separated their classes by gender.
Teachers and administrators believe same-sex classes are good for students. However, the students themselves have mixed feelings.
Dunbar Middle School segregates sixth graders only. This helps these students adjust to the transition from elementary to middle school.
"I think it's a good thing to segregate the boys and girls at this age. The boys behave better and their grades have improved since we started this," said Jennifer Covert, a sixth grade reading teacher at the school.
"The girls aren't as intimidated by boys," she added. "All grades and behavior have improved."
"I believe that gender segregation should be started in kindergarten," she continued. "I think they should be put back together in eighth or ninth grade.
"The first year in middle school especially should be separated. It helps them adjust so much better."
A sixth grade boy from Dunbar Middle School who goes by B.G. said, "I think it's actually pretty good. People do pay more attention. Guys don't show off for girls, and girls don't show off for guys."
"We have higher average school grades, and not many people would get grounded for bad grades!" he added.
Stonewall Jackson Middle School on Charleston's West Side is also segregated. Students there - with the exception of special education students -- are separated for all three years.
"I believe it's a good thing to have gender-segregated classes at their age," said Wendy Lemon, a translator who signs for the deaf at the school. "They're going through so many changes at this point in their life. Segregation eliminates a lot of controversies and gives the kids better learning opportunities."
"Most of the arguments I see in the hallway are a confrontation over the opposite sex," she added.
"I think sixth grade is the appropriate time to be separated because it's the change between middle and elementary school, and the change is hard for some of them," she said.
Student Alison Taylor is not a fan of the idea, though. "I think it's bad because it causes a lot more fights and doesn't help boys and girls from getting distracted by each other"
"There is more bullying going on by girls to girls with gender segregation," she said. "And many girls said they're going to be nervous about being in classes with boys because they aren't in classes with them now, so it also has caused fear."
The debate over the positives and negatives of same-sex classes will likely continue as more and more schools adopt the practice. Whether gender segregation is ultimately be a good or bad thing likely won't be seen for years to come.