Most of the schools I’m applying to (columbia, university of Pennsylvania, emory, northwestern, and some others) require two teacher recommendations from high school teachers in core subjects. I have both of those, but some schools allow extra letters of recommendation from teachers. Is it okay to have a teacher from middle school write a letter? We’ve kept in touch and worked together over the years and he helped me start a technology club at my high school, so he knows me very well.
I don’t see how it could hurt.
An extra letter is supposed to come from someone who can highlight aspects of who you are that your teachers are unable to discuss. If this middle school teacher has the kind of relationship with you that gives them a unique insight into who you are and what you have to offer, then by all means, submit it. What you don’t want is a third letter that says pretty much the same stuff that the two ‘core teacher recommendations’ say. That just wastes the admin officer’s time.
Generally I’d say not to have a middle school teacher write a recommendation. But since you have worked with him/her on an extracurricular since you’ve been in HS l then he/she can discuss aspects of your involvement in the technology club, personality traits etc. I’d be sure to let the teacher know that you would like the recommendation to primarily cover your work together on the HS club and not an academic type recommendation discussing your ability to do middle school level work.