February 2001 
Eureka middle schools to benefit student learning By Sheldon J. Reber, Director of School and Community Relations
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S tarting in September, sixth-grade students will have increased learning opportunities and begin to be better prepared for the challenges of high school when they start school at Winship and Zane Middle Schools. The new 6-8 middle school alignment has been seriously considered by Eureka City Schools since 1984. That was the year California's Department of Education published the groundbreaking middle school study Caught in the Middle. Winship's principal Kim Cobine explained, "Caught in the Middle presented guidelines and concepts of what an exemplary 6-8 middle school should look like. We have studied it and dreamed about it and tried to figure out how we could make it work in our district." The middle school alignment has been discussed extensively with staff and school community over the last five years during Winship and Zane's strategic planning sessions as a way of improving student learning. As part of a district-wide facility and 6-8 grade realignment plan, Eureka City Schools' Governing Board voted in favor of the new 6-8 middle schools at its January 10 regular meeting. Cobine detailed the positive effect a 6-8 middle school will have for students. "There are benefits for all three grade levels. For our sixth-graders, they'll still be in that protective environment of a self-contained classroom they currently enjoy at the elementary school," said Cobine. "The sixth-graders will transition into the school culture slowly without having to deal with six different teachers and numerous homework assignments. By the time they're in seventh-grade they'll really be able to focus on the seventh-grade curriculum right off the bat." Middle school students are now faced with higher academic standards including more rigorous courses such as algebra. The three-year middle school experience will better prepare eighth-graders for high school, according to Cobine. "We believe that by having students on our campus for three years we can communicate and work together with students and families to help prepare students for that high school experience. With the state-mandated high school exit exam, we feel we're really responsible for doing everything we can to get the kids ready for high school." Educators have found that the middle school concept works to better address the needs of 11 to 14-year-olds. California public school enrollment totals show that there are 706 6-8 middle schools compared to 341 7-8 junior highs. Only 14 California schools offer the old junior high 7th to 9th-grade alignment. Middle school students are also facing new state-mandated guidelines on promotion and retention. Currently, teachers and parents work together throughout the school year on individual learning plans for students who are not at grade level to ensure that those students are prepared for the next grade. Zane principal Catalina Nocon spoke of this increased pressure. "Within two years, our students are being faced with two critical pieces in their education - promotion/ retention and the high school exit exam. Trying to work with students and parents for two years, it feels as if they aren't spending quite enough time here." 
By being on a middle school campus, sixth-graders will also have access to expanded academic, enrichment, and after-school opportunities."I know that students at this age level like to try new things, and the types of electives that we have here at Zane are going to excite sixth-grade students. We have a fantastic art and music program. If you look at our school, there's artwork everywhere. Our music teacher, Mr. McCay, is already giving me ideas as to how he sees the sixth-grade students becoming a part of the music program," said Nocon. Nocon mentions other opportunities. "We'll offer Spanish as an elective. I see sixth-grade sports teams happening here. We've got incredible technology tools at Zane... three computer labs, video production, digital cameras, scanners, and the Internet." "There's excitement with sixth-grade teachers about coming over to the middle school. Our current seventh-grade teachers are saying that it'll be nice to collaborate with sixth-grade teachers to know exactly what students have learned in the previous year. They'll be able to plan interventions earlier in the school year. It will bring more consistency to student learning." Both the Winship and Zane campuses are on 30-acre parcels, so space for the new sixth-grade is not seen as a problem. Cobine mentions, "We're projecting our enrollment next year to be 520 students. Two years ago our enrollment was 510 with just seventh and eighth-grade. We will not be overcrowded." Nocon adds, "We have about 200 students coming from our elementary schools and we are hearing that there are students from other districts that are interested in coming over too. At Zane, we've dropped in enrollment from last year by 90 students and this has freed up some classrooms." Both principals agree that the sixth-grade's physical environment will be unique. "We want the sixth-graders to have their own unique physical place at Zane and know who each other is. Their classrooms will not be spread around the campus. I want sixth-graders to feel comfortable," said Nocon.
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