Big changes ahead for local school district
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SEATTLE -- One of the state's largest school districts is undergoing major changes this year.
The Lake Washington School District did away with its junior high schools in favor of middle schools, which means thousands of students and dozens of teachers will be attending new schools this year.
As of this year, the district's sixth grades will be attending middle schools, and the ninth graders -- who had been in junior high -- will be moved up to high school.
The move is meant to accommodate the growth in the district, which has seen an influx of families in Redmond and Sammamish. The district estimates moving sixth graders to middle school will save it from having to build as many as four new elementary schools, which could save nearly $100 million.
That's the monetary reason for the change, but the district says it's better academically, too.
"I think my son is ready to be here. He was excited to come," said parent Diane Fitzgibbons. "I noticed when my daughter was in sixth grade, about halfway through she seemed done with elementary school."
Students aren't the only ones dealing with the new system. Teachers, such as sixth grade teacher Denise Amstutz, are also swapping schools.
Twenty of the 47 teachers at Inglewood Middle School are new to the school.
"I think it's going to take us about a month to get used to everything, but we've done so much work," said Inglewood principal Tim Patterson. "The staff has really taken this on. For two years now we've been working towards this goal."
The district is staggering the start of the school year to help students make the transition. Grades six, seven, nine and 10 start on September 4, and everyone else starts September 5.
The Lake Washington School District did away with its junior high schools in favor of middle schools, which means thousands of students and dozens of teachers will be attending new schools this year.
As of this year, the district's sixth grades will be attending middle schools, and the ninth graders -- who had been in junior high -- will be moved up to high school.
The move is meant to accommodate the growth in the district, which has seen an influx of families in Redmond and Sammamish. The district estimates moving sixth graders to middle school will save it from having to build as many as four new elementary schools, which could save nearly $100 million.
That's the monetary reason for the change, but the district says it's better academically, too.
"I think my son is ready to be here. He was excited to come," said parent Diane Fitzgibbons. "I noticed when my daughter was in sixth grade, about halfway through she seemed done with elementary school."
Students aren't the only ones dealing with the new system. Teachers, such as sixth grade teacher Denise Amstutz, are also swapping schools.
Twenty of the 47 teachers at Inglewood Middle School are new to the school.
"I think it's going to take us about a month to get used to everything, but we've done so much work," said Inglewood principal Tim Patterson. "The staff has really taken this on. For two years now we've been working towards this goal."
The district is staggering the start of the school year to help students make the transition. Grades six, seven, nine and 10 start on September 4, and everyone else starts September 5.
Not a smart idea at all. Ninth graders are way to immature to be in a high school. This comment comes after several years of experience. Never should happen.