Salt Lake City School District: K-8 Schools: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a K-8 School?
2. What do research evaluations and studies show?
3. What ways might elementary students benefit from a K-8 School?
4. How do middle school students benefit from a K-8 School?
5. Will having a K-8 School directly increase the amount of school taxes I currently pay?
6. When could a potential K-8 conversion actually begin?
7. Will my child miss out on the electives offered at traditional middle schools?
8. What are best practices for middle school students?

1. What is a K-8 School?

A school campus where students progress from kindergarten through eighth grade together and a sense of family and continuity are created over nine years
A school that offers developmentally appropriate, thematic-based and rigorous curriculum and instruction at each grade level
A school offering continuity of curriculum, thematic strands, specialized instruction and opportunities for expanded growth. It is not just an extension of two more grades in the elementary school

2. What do research evaluations and studies show?

Grade Configuration: Many options are available; students report greatest personal satisfaction in the K-8 setting
Philadelphia Schools Study: K-8 student achievement was higher when data was controlled for socio-economics, school size, and ethnicity
Increased Achievement: Students at each grade level achieve higher levels of academic growth over time
Parental Involvement: Higher levels of involvement maintained in K-8 environment
Transitions: K-8 models eliminate one transition and student achievement levels do not drop as is typically seen during transition years

3. What ways might elementary students benefit from a K-8 School?

Parental involvement increased throughout the years
Positive opportunities for elementary aged students such as K-8 arts focus or a school-wide production
Students have long-term relationships with school and teachers
Students experience less anxiety about entering middle grades
Attending school with older siblings creates confidence
Expanded grade level range gives opportunities for accelerated learning
Assistance from middle level cross-age tutors and mentors

4. How do middle school students benefit from a K-8 School?

Families develop strong and continuous connections to the school over 9 years together
Best practices for the middle level are often better implemented in a K-8 setting
Learning is strengthened because teachers collaborate more closely together
Older students can mentor younger students. As a result, older students develop leadership skills and responsibility, and experience the value of helping others.
Students have a seamless transition between their primary, intermediate, and middle grade programs
Students are less likely to “fall through the cracks” as numerous adults know each student well, thereby increasing student advocacy
Students are sheltered during vulnerable pre-adolescent years when they may not be ready for the transition to a different setting

5. Will having a K-8 School directly increase the amount of school taxes I currently pay?

No, there will be no direct impact to the amount of school taxes paid by the residents of the community. Implementation of K-8 Schools would be supported by the reallocation of existing resources.

6. When could a potential K-8 conversion actually begin?

A conversion is contingent upon the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education receiving recommendations from Hillside and each of the feeder schools and then looking at the big picture to determine the implications of those recommendations for the whole area and district
Should the Board approve the creation of one or more K-8 Schools, we will immediately launch into a planning phase. Some of the key tasks that will need to be accomplished are 1) informing the community, 2) planning the transition, 3) designing and constructing buildings, 4) developing curriculum and instruction and 5) preparing teachers through professional development
The length of time it takes will be based on a timeline for construction, as well as decisions to be made about transitioning 7^th and 8^th grade students in one year or two. The total length of time is estimated to be 2-3 years

7. Will my child miss out on the electives offered at traditional middle schools?

Middle school students who chose to attend a K-8 Schools will be offered foreign language, music, art, band, physical education, gifted and exceptional students programs, special education resources and enrichment classes. The design of the school day and the how electives and services are structured will be determined by the school community and state core curriculum guidelines.

8. What are best practices for middle school students?

The National Middle School Association sent some resources that parents and community members can read to learn about research-based best practices for middle school students in any grade configuration.