The development of the ability to write coherent, well-organized essays and research papers is a skill that will pay off through to the college years. Middle school students should know how to format and develop a 5-paragraph essay. For some reason, middle schools so often are failing to prepare students in the area of writing. I have college students contact me regularly for help with research papers that do not have a basic foundation to write term paper. Instead of focusing on developing research and professional formatting skills, they are struggling with basics. 

It is NEVER too early create a foundation of good writing, and it is NEVER too late to build that foundation.