TUSD plan would put middle-schoolers at Sabino

The proposal, which will be presented to the board on Tuesday, also includes adding sixth grade to Fruchthendler Elementary School. If approved, Magee Middle School would lose students to Fruchthendler and Sabino.

The Tucson Unified School District refused to release any details about the proposal ahead of the meeting where the board will study the item, taking action at a later date.

While research generally shows that fewer transitions tend to be better for students, especially at the middle school level where academic achievement often takes a hit, this may not be the best way to address that, said Heidi Burross, an assistant professor of practice in the University of Arizona’s College of Education.

Students may have more course offerings and would have the opportunity to see how their classes will lead into what they will be doing later, but the social concerns may outweigh the benefits, she said.

“Older students will be modeling behaviors that younger students may not be able to yet or shouldn’t be doing yet — and sometimes it’s what the older students shouldn’t be doing yet, so that could be concerning,” Burross said.

The physical differences between 12-year-olds and 18-year-olds could also lead to physical intimidation or attempts by younger students to act more mature, Burross added.

“Attempting to get rid of another transition is admirable, but generally K-8 (schools) tends to work better — developmentally they’re more alike than an early adolescent and young adults in a 7-12 situation,” Burross said.

An estimated 40 students would be added to Fruchthendler and as many as 120 students could be added to Sabino. Both of the northeast-side campuses have room to accept the additional students.

There may also be a potential to attract students who do not currently attend TUSD schools.

It is not clear how much of an impact the changes would have on Magee, which serves nearly 600 students. The east-side school has been steadily losing students over the last several years.

Magee earned a grade of C from the Arizona Department of Education, while Fruchthendler earned a B and Sabino received an A.

TUSD Governing Board member Michael Hicks does not support the proposal, saying on Friday that he prefers traditional grade configurations.

“There’s a reason why we have elementary schools and junior high schools, where they prepare for high school,” Hicks said. “I don’t believe in putting kids in a high school environment at that age. We have enough problems at the middle school level, and now we’re going to throw them to the wolves? I don’t think it’s productive.”