* Faster end: Times under 6 seconds would be considered excellent for many middle schoolers. These are athletes who likely participate in track and field or other speed-focused sports.
* Average: Times between 6 and 7 seconds are a reasonable range for many middle school students.
* Developing: Times above 7 seconds are common, especially for those new to sprinting or less focused on athletic training.
It's more important to focus on improvement over time than on a specific time. A student who consistently decreases their 40-meter time is demonstrating progress, regardless of their absolute speed. Compare their time to their own previous times to gauge their improvement.