Evaluative criteria providing subjective and objective responses has been established for the planning, organization, implementation and/or evaluation of a middle school by experts in the middle school concept. Students, parents, staff, and administration should be involved in the evaluation of the middle school's philosophy. By rating statements on a 0-4 scale, this guide leads an evaluator through assessement of the middle school's objectives, administration, curriculum, activity programs or interest groups, and instructional areas. In addition, the guidance program, media center and school-community relations are given considerations, with the underlying theme that the middle school should not be a watered-down high school. The needs of the pre- to early adolescent are quite separate from the high school student, and opportunity is given to assess a middle school's approach to these in school plant and school staff sectors. The criteria evaluative program does not suppose that the middle school could, or should, replace the junior high school everywhere. Rather, that it should serve as a phase between the paternalism of the neighborhood elementary school and the departmentalized senior high environment. (CE)