RISD debuts middle school model, eyes future transitions From the cover
Diving deeper
What’s happening
Branum added that district officials will monitor the transition and glean both successes and neces- sary changes when future transitions occur, likely as part of the district’s next bond cycle. “We’re going to be studying this [and] learning,” Branum said. “Ms. Hayes and our [operations] team have already been reflecting on … ‘What might we do different? How might we strengthen what we do?’” For the transitions, RISD officials do not antic- ipate needing additional staff. Rather, staff will move from elementary to middle school campuses. “It’s really a saving on the staff side of not hav- ing to have extra staff to make those moves when they can all stay at the campus and cover the same amount of kids,” Hayes said. Additionally, students will have more athletic opportunities at middle schools, and district staff will monitor academic progress as they transition, said Jennie Bates, area superintendent of the Lake Highlands High School Learning Community.
virtually or get them on a bus, take them somewhere [or] have a parent transport them,” Branum said. “Now, they have an opportunity to take all levels of math sitting right there at the middle school.” Sandra Hayes, assistant superintendent of district operations, said she and other district officials are eager to move forward with future middle school conversions at RISD’s remaining six junior high schools after renovating Forest Meadow and rebuilding Lake Highlands campuses for the middle school model. “We have a plan, and we’re ready to move forward as soon as the community agrees with the funding,” Hayes said.
Over 800 new middle schoolers were welcomed to the halls of Forest Meadow and Lake Highlands campuses on Aug. 13, the first day of classes. The opening of the first two middle schools is the culmination of a strategic plan to reconfigure grades within RISD, which was adopted in 2021. The transition of sixth-grade students to middle school one year earlier will expose them to broader academic and extracurricular activities, Branum said. The consolidation of sixth graders also makes it easier for students who may be enrolled in more advanced classes. “If you have a sixth grader who’s needing algebra one, we have to either try to do it
Richardson ISD year-over-year enrollment for grades K-8 Richardson ISD has seen year-over-year growth in first and fourth through sixth grades despite consistent enrollment decline. The district is working to optimize its facilities based on student demand.
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
3,000
Easier coordination among teachers for student learning plans Better and more appropriate student access to fine arts and athletics programs Fine arts staff turnover rates due to travel requirements between campuses Why it’s changing District staff have been analyzing a potential transition since 2018 due to several factors: The prevalence of a middle school model in roughly 95% of Texas school districts
2,750
2,500
0
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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