Ward 5 is the only ward in the District of Columbia that does not have a middle school.  The transition to K—8 at seven of our eight elementary schools was initiated without providing sufficient physical facilities, resources, and teaching staff to accommodate the required curriculum established for D.C. middle school students (MSS).  To name a few:  no athletic facilities, gymnasiums, science labs, language and pre-algebra teachers, insufficient classroom space for such classes, insufficient libraries, inadequate security personnel and cameras.