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This is my fifth year of a full schedule of school ball. Before that, I had two years of rec league/church ball. This will be the first year I get some varsity games, more than likely not a full schedule of varsity, though.
The reason I started out doing a few years of rec league/church ball is because I was really only blowing the whistle on the weekends. That's back when I lived in the DC area, and it was virtually impossible for me to get out of the city and to a game site in time for tipoff.
I really agree with 26 Year Gap's statement that you might get to work on some of your rules knowledge in JH/MS, but the meat of officiating (managing a game, working with partners, coaches, interaction, weird situations, etc) really happens at the JV level because you start to get better partners who take things more seriously and aren't just there to break a little bit of a sweat and collect a paycheck.
My biggest piece of advice would be to latch onto a veteran in your association and ask him/her to be your mentor. Go to some of his games, hang out in the locker room after and listen to the banter between officials. Go out with them after the game and listen to their war stories. Do this a few times per season, and not only will you learn a lot, you'll get well connected with the other varsity refs, who will feel comfortable recommending you when the commissioner comes calling asking if you are ready for the next level.
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