San Diego school board members approved a plan Tuesday to allow seven elementary schools to provide a kindergarten through eighth grade education. Most elementary schools stop at the fifth grade. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Fifth graders in South San Diego go to campuses in other parts of the district because there are so few public middle schools in the area. But now seven elementary schools in that part of the district will offer sixth, seventh and eighth grade classes. For the most part, parents support the K to 8 plan. But there are some who don't think it's a good idea. Eva Corrales has one young daughter and another on the way. She addressed the school board yesterday, saying middle and elementary school kids just don't mix.
Corrales: Do you have any idea what middle school students are doing in our community. Some schools are having eight fights per day. And I don't want my five-year-old and my unborn child, nor my 18 nieces and nephews in this kind of environment.
But school officials say there will be clearly identified areas for elementary and middle school students at each campus. Parent Linda Tamez isn't too concerned about discipline issues. She thinks the K to 8 approach will allow her daughter to grow with the school and the community.
Tamez: When they do leave and go to various middle schools, there's a lot of separation there. And with them being able to stay at the elementary school, they feel more comfortable and I think a lot of them will do better.
Test scores show local students aren't making the grade when they move into a traditional middle school. District officials believe a K to 8 campus offers a more positive learning and social environment. It will take $9.5 million to expand the seven schools. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
