The status of middle grade students (grades 6, 7, and 8) was studied in the New Orleans (Louisiana) public schools. The district is faced with major challenges in addressing the overall needs of middle grade students and the impact of early retention in grade that has resulted in several overage students. Most sixth graders are in elementary school, but most seventh and eighth graders attend junior high schools or senior high schools. About 17 percent of the district's students left the system after attending the sixth grade, most at the elementary school level. Suspensions and absenteeism were higher for this age group. The current grade configurations and nomenclature for types of schools serving middle grade students are confusing and should be modified to align with appropriate educational and support programs. Overage students are casualties of the practice of retention and are more likely to drop out than those never retained. This issue must be addressed in the middle grades. In addition, the district must consider why high-risk and low-risk students differ by such a large magnitude on standardized test results and to ensure that access and opportunities are equal. Thirteen tables and seven figures present study findings. Appendix A list schools with middle-grade configurations, and Appendix B contains six figures of student characteristics and achievement. (SLD)