A new youth program should always start with Middle School/Junior High

It is a fact of life that middle schoolers (6-9^th to be more specific) are more flexible and willing to try things than their older peers. High School youth are often set in their ways and want institutions like a youth group to remain consistent and constant – even as they get bored with the sameness of it!! High School youth are also pretty well booked up with activities they established at the beginning of their Freshmen year. To get them to do something new or at a new time is difficult.
So whether creating something new or trying to make a major change, start with the Middle Schoolers.