BY CONNOR PITTMAN
The impact
What’s next?
The transition allows the district to meet an increasing demand for pre-K education, which is mandated by the state. “Now that the Lake Highlands area [schools] opened up, we were able to put some of our pre-K [students] back in their home school area so they don’t have to ride a bus,” Hayes added. With sixth-grade students moving onto middle schools for the first time, Burt said staff have focused on transitioning these students from iPads to Chromebooks and teaching necessary skills like note taking. “We’re able to start that at a younger age, which I am hopeful will provide additional success as they move into seventh and eighth grade,” Burt said. RISD’s sixth-grade teachers can also more readily access other middle school instructors as they lay out plans for student growth. “They can talk about where our kids are coming in and where we want them to be when they leave,” Burt said.
To cover the cost of the conversion for future middle schools, RISD trustees could call a bond election, district officials said. Once approved, it typically takes two to three years to convert the campuses, Hayes said. The remaining six junior highs are expected to be converted at the same time, provided funding is approved.
814 students impacted by the change
$50.2 million for renovating Forest Meadow Middle School
1,666 pre-K students enrolled for 2023-24, a 6.4% year-over-year increase 10 elementary schools now sending sixth-grade students to middle schools in the Lake Highlands Learning Community $81.2 million for the newly constructed Lake Highlands Middle School
FOREST MEADOW MIDDLE SCHOOL
635
75
LAKE HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
WHITEHURST DR.
W A L N U T HI LL L N.
N
SOURCE: RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Preschool - 12 Grade Creative SmartLab Fine Arts: Choir, Orchestra & Band Athletics: Basketball, Soccer & Volleyball Where students become leaders in their school, church and community.
YOU’RE INVITED TO | | OCT. 19 PIONEER PREVIEW DAY
2800 Custer Pkwy., Richardson TX 75080 | 972-234-6322 www.NDAAcademy.org
• Tour Campus • Housing Presentation • Academic & Student Services Fair
Fine Dining, North Indian & Continental Cuisine Daily Lunch Buffet | A la carte for Dinner
10% DISCOUNT on all Biryanis
Expires 10/31/24
700 E Campbell Rd Ste 190 bombayrepublicdallas.com (972) 803-6273
17
RICHARDSON EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook