It varies from state to state. Where we live now, there’s elementary (K-5), middle (6-8) and high school (9-12). In the state I grew up in, it was elementary (K-5), middle (6-7), junior high (8-9) and high school (10-12).

I was involved in sports, but my terrible creep-tasting experience was with a substitute teacher at my school. He was “friends” with the boys my age and would use them to approach girls. When you’re 12/13, it seems great when the “cool” sub pulls you out of a boring class to just come talk to him during his open period. You know, because “you really get him” and “aren’t like the other girls”, which are direct quotes from him. Turns out he was subbing in middle school after he had been banned from subbing in the high school and junior high for acting inappropriately toward the female students. Good news, though. He went on to become a police office in the neighboring town.

My point is that creeps always find a way and are drawn to situations where they have power over others. I can’t tell you the number of arrests I’ve seen of church youth leaders. Nowhere is safe. You gotta keep your head on a swivel.