Blaming unsatisfactory student achievement on the middle school concept is a case of mistaken identity. Too many middle schools have failed to fully implement the middle school concept. Based on statements from the Carnegie Council and the National Middle School Association, the middle school concept calls for improved academic achievement for all students, a focus on young adolescence, a challenging and integrative curriculum, a supportive and safe environment, improved teacher preparation for the middle grades, and better relationships with families and communities. Schools that have fully implemented these components have seen positive results. Several large urban districts in the United States, convinced that too many of their middle schools are less than effective, are thinking of returning grades 6-8 to the elementary school. Grade configuration, however, is not the solution to unsatisfactory school performance. The solution lies in creating a challenging curriculum, pushing for structures that support high-quality relationships, finding ways to reach out to families and communities, and addressing the systemic issue of poverty.