How will the current buildings be used in 2024-2025?

ASB Center
Exploration Courses: The ASB Center will host various exploration courses. These courses are designed to provide students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that complement the core curriculum.

Bakken Ridge Center
Grade 5: Classrooms for Grade 5 will be on the third floor of the Bakken Ridge Center. This floor will be dedicated to accommodating the specific needs of 5th-grade students, providing them with a focused and tailored learning environment.
Grade 6: Classes for the Grade 6 will take place on the second floor of the Bakken Ridge Center. This setting ensures that Grade 6 students have their own dedicated space, separate from the younger Grade 5, fostering a more mature atmosphere conducive to their learning stages.

Coyote Center
Grades 7 and 8: The core classes for both Grades 7 and 8 will be held in the Coyote Center. This center will cater specifically to the middle school grades, allowing for shared resources and collaborative learning opportunities across these two grade levels.

Why is this project happening?

Meets the District Strategic Plan and the Long Range Facilities Plan
Long Range Facilities Plan with grade configurations K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Equitable use of District Resources for staff and students
One team working towards improving student outcomes
Provide a continuous pathway for students entering High School

What are the benefits of merging the former 5-6, 7-8, and 6-8 campuses into a single 5-8 campus?

Access to more opportunities for electives and exploration classes
Provide equitable opportunity and innovation for ALL staff and students
Reduction of transitions K-12 to increase a sense of belonging
Increase teacher collaboration which, according to research, has the highest impact on student academic performance

How will students be supported in a large school?

Middle School Team Model: This will be a core group of teachers like having smaller schools within a larger school.

Is ASB Innovation Academy closing?

ASB is not closing. It remains a fully operational facility and will continue to serve as an integral part of our educational community. All Central Campus students will have access to the ASB Center and its resources.

What is the ASB Innovation Center?

Starting the 24-25 academic year, the ASB Center will house a variety of exploratory courses designed to enhance our students’ learning experiences and prepare them for their future educational paths. These courses are focused on different elective trades, providing a practical and diverse learning environment that caters to the varied interests and talents of our students.

Will ASB still have a lottery for the 2024-2025 School Year?

No. The lottery process that was recently conducted for ASB placement will no longer be valid. All Grade 6-8 students will be enrolled on a middle school team at the Central Campus.

How will students safely transition to ASB for classes?

Single Transition: Each team will make only one transition across the street to the ASB per day. Once the team is at ASB, they will attend all their consecutive classes before returning.
Safety Measures: To ensure the safety of all students during transitions, proper crossing guards will be stationed, and teachers will accompany their respective teams.
Schedule Coordination: The schedule has been meticulously planned to allow different teams to move at staggered times, reducing congestion and enhancing safety.

Is the Central Campus adopting ASB learning styles Campus-wide?

It's clear that asserting a singular method as the definitive way for all children to learn is not only impractical, but also ineffective. Education should be responsive and flexible, adapting to the needs of students rather than expecting them to conform to one model. By employing a variety of teaching strategies once piloted at ASB and recognizing the unique learning profiles of each student, Central Campus teams can better ensure that all students receive the education they need and deserve.

Will WINN interventions continue for ASB students when they are moved?

The transition of ASB students to Coyote Center and Bakken Ridge is planned with a strong emphasis on continuity in educational support services. WINN interventions, as a critical component of this support, will continue without interruption. The schools are equipped and prepared to welcome ASB students and ensure their educational journey remains positive and uninterrupted.

Why not move the Grade 5 to ASB since they are separate from 6-8?

The consideration to move the Grade 5 from Bakken Ridge to the ASB facility, to maintain a separation from Grades 6 to 8, presents significant logistical challenges. The ASB currently lacks the necessary space and resources to accommodate this shift effectively. With only 12 available classrooms at ASB and a total of 17 Grade 5 teachers, there is an immediate shortfall in the physical space required to house each class. Furthermore, the total enrollment of approximately 375 Grade 5 students far exceeds ASB's capacity of 300.
Addressing these constraints would necessitate extensive renovations and potential expansion of the ASB facilities, which involves considerable time, financial investment, and planning. Thus, relocating the 5th grade under the current conditions is not feasible without significant adjustments to the infrastructure of ASB.

Will 5th grade still be self-contained classrooms?

Yes. Grade 5 will continue to be in self-contained classrooms on the 3rd floor of Bakken Ridge. This means that students will typically remain in one classroom for most of the school day, and one teacher will teach multiple subjects to the same group of students.

How will student behavior be addressed in such a large school?

New Policies and Behavioral Procedures. For the 2024-2025 school year, WMSCC is set to introduce some new policies and behavior management procedures aimed at significantly reducing instances of student violence.
Team-Based Student Housing. One of the core changes is the implementation of a team-based system where students are grouped into teams. Each team will rotate amongst a dedicated group of teachers. This approach aims to:
Enhance Relationships: By allowing students to interact with the same group of peers and teachers regularly, stronger relationships and a sense of belonging are fostered.
Increase Supervision: Closer and more consistent monitoring of student groups by teachers will help in identifying and addressing potentially disruptive behavior early.
Modified School Schedule. To further reduce opportunities for conflict and enhance the overall school environment, the following scheduling adjustments have been made:
Reduced Movements and Transitions: The schedule aims to minimize the number of times students need to move around the school, which historically have been times when most conflicts arise.
Staggered Lunch Blocks: Staggered 4-block lunch times will allow for smaller groups during lunch, reducing overcrowding and providing a calmer, more controlled environment.

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