Junior high school education is a period of education that bridges the gap between elementary school and high school. It is typically for students in grades 7-9, although some states include grade 6 as well. The focus of junior high school education is on academic rigor and preparing students to manage assignments and expectations. Unlike middle school, which is development-focused, junior high school is subject-centered. The school day is structured, with six to eight periods of shorter, more rigorous classes. The curriculum typically includes language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics, with opportunities for exploration in areas such as visual arts, computer literacy, foreign language, and industrial arts/technology. Physical education classes are also included, and class sizes are typically limited to 53 students. The principal of any junior high/middle school must have at least one-half of their time free from classroom responsibilities to supervise instruction. Overall, junior high school education is focused on developing a student’s cognitive, memory, and information processing skills in preparation for the rigor of high school.