This page was created to provide information about the proposed grade span changes in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District.
- Proposed changes would not take effect until the 2024-25 school year.
- Proposed changes would not change the focus areas of the academies (LMAAC, Parkway, STEAM, and SVA).
Background
On Tuesday, April 18, Deputy Superintendent, Deann Ragsdale, presented to the LMSV Board of Education on the issue of the statewide implementation of universal transitional kindergarten (TK) and the impact to the district’s schools. Due to the fact that the district’s elementary schools universally serve kindergarten through 6th grade, 11 of 17 schools lack the capacity to serve a fully enrolled cohort of students at the TK grade level. In order to meet the state requirement to offer TK to all resident four-year-olds (by the 2025-26 school year) it is recommended that the district’s elementary schools transition to TK-5th grade and that the middle school/academies transition to 6-8th grade.
Video and Supporting Documentation
A video of the board presentation is available here
The slides from the presentation are available here
Next Steps
May 9, 2023 – LMSV Board Meeting (6 PM)
First reading of the proposed action to make grade span changes starting with the 2024-25 school year. Public comment is welcome.
June 6, 2023 6 PM – LMSV Board Meeting (6 PM)
Proposed action to make grade span changes starting with the 2024-25 school year. Public comment is welcome.
Information about school board meetings is available here.
Public Input
Public input is invited in person or on Zoom, during the board meetings listed above, or anytime via email at info@lmsvschools.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What grades do our schools serve currently?
All Elementary Schools
K-6th grade (TK is also served in a limited capacity)
La Mesa Arts Academy (LMAAC)
4-6th grade (transfer required)
7-8th grade (transfer and resident students)
Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy
6th grade (transfer required – beginning with the 2023-24 school year)
7-8th grade (transfer and resident students)
Spring Valley Academy (SVA)
7-8th grade (transfer and resident students)
STEAM Academy
5-6th grade (transfer required)
7-8th grade (transfer and resident students)
Trust Blended Learning (home school program)
K-8th grade (transfer required)
What changes are being proposed specifically?
Effective with the 2024-25 school year
– Elementary schools would serve grades TK-5
– Parkway Academy, Spring Valley Academy, and STEAM Academy would serve grades 6-8
– LMAAC would serve grades 5-8 (5th grade would be available to prior year LMAAC 4th graders only)
Effective with the 2025-26 school year
– Elementary schools would serve grades TK-5
– All middle school/academies would serve grades 6-8
When would the proposed changes go into effect?
Changes would not take effect for another year (starting with the 2024-25 school year).
What would happen to next year’s 4th and 5th grade students at LMAAC?
LMAAC will have a 4th and 5th grade class next year. However, 4th and 5th grade would be phased out once next year’s students matriculate up to 6th grade.
In other words, next year’s 4th grade students would go on to attend 5th grade at LMAAC (in the 2024-25 school year), and 6th grade at LMAAC (in 2025-26) . Next year’s 5th grade students would go on to attend 6th grade at LMAAC in 2024-25.
What would happen to next year’s 5th grade students at STEAM?
STEAM will have a 5th grade class next year. However, 5th grade would be phased out once next year’s 5th grade class matriculates up to 6th grade (in the 2024-25 school year).
Will the Academies still be Academies?
Yes! LMAAC, Parkway, SVA, and STEAM will all continue to be academies. All will continue with their focus areas, and students will have two elective periods in their schedules. We believe that the standardization of grade spans across the district would serve to strengthen the focus areas and academic rigor of our academies.
Would academy enrollment be limited to resident students?
No. As space permits, the academies will continue to accept transfers. Transfer policies would not change. Transfers will still be accepted at all district schools, based on grade level and program capacity.
Is 6-8th grade a better model than 7-8th grade for the middle school/academies?
There are lots of opinions on this issue. Although the pendulum has swung back and forth over the years, 6-8th grade is now the dominate model statewide. In fact, state approved curriculum is based on a K-5th grade elementary school model and a 6-8th grade middle school model. As you can see below, the majority of the middle schools statewide serve 6-8th grade:
Number of Middle Schools by Grade Span Statewide
6-8th grade – 867 schools statewide
7-8th grade – 348 schools statewide
Source: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/ad/cefenrollgradetype.asp
What will happen to 6th grade teachers at the elementary schools?
6th grade teachers would either move to 6th grade at an academy or move to a different grade level at an elementary school.
What will happen to 4th and 5th grade teachers at LMAAC and 5th grade teachers at STEAM Academy?
Once current 4th and 5th grade classes have been phased out, 4th and 5th grade teachers would either move to 6th grade at the academy or move to an elementary school.
Will teachers be laid off?
No. Teachers would not be laid off because of the grade span changes.
