Does working during the school year result in lowered perceptions of school climate and connectedness for middle school students? According to outcomes from a Rocky Mountain Region School District's (RMRSD) school climate survey, 20% of their middle school student population works during the school year. Existing literature on youth employment points out the correlation between lower high school graduation rates and lowered perceptions of; a welcome school environment, personal academic success, school safety, and connections with adults at school. Other earlier studies focused on study participants over age 14. This study searched for correlations between students age 11 to 14 years old. Results show that middle school students in RMRSD who work during the school year have little difference in their perceptions of school climate and connectedness when compared to their non-working peers. Though statistically significant at p < 0.01, Chi Square analyses showed very small effect sizes. Unknown variables such as hours worked and type of employment are proposed next steps for future studies. Particular attention is also paid to participation groups, students who are involved in clubs, student government, or athletics, and how their perceptions of school climate compare to their working counterparts. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]