Well, I'm still in high school as I type this; I suppose I can offer a "fresh" interpretation.
Elementary school, for me, just kind of existed. I didn't have many friends, but I wasn't ridiculed or anything (most of the people in my school were pretty cool). I had a bit of a bully problem for a year or two, but my family and I sorted it out.
Middle school was a bit different. For some inexplicable reason, people started noticing and acknowledging me. Soon, I became quite the popular guy, despite my rather quiet demeanor and "nerdy" interests. I was also starting to find my academic groove; I received good grades without having to try particularly hard. So, between a bunch of new friends and good grades, my four years of middle school (especially eighth grade) were actually pretty fun and enjoyable.
Then Freshmen year of high school happened. Eighth grade had done nothing to prepare any of us for it, and my school district seems to value making students' lives miserable with the curriculum and homework. My grades started to drop (from A's to A-'s and B's, but still), and I started to get very anxious and impatient with everyone. My pseudo-popularity remained, but many people started to pay more attention to the jocks and whatnot, so my group of friends started to drop in numbers. By 2nd semester, I'd sorted out the workload and studying requirements and got through with good enough grades without losing my mind.
Sophomore year passed without anything eventful occurring, though Junior year had a bit more going on. Relationships formed and broke apart, friends came and went, classes fluctuated in difficulty; let's just say it got difficult to always get enough sleep at points.
I'm going to be a Senior next year, and after all of this, I'm hoping that it will be at least a bearable year.