Norwalk : Board Studies Options for Reopening Middle Schools

The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District board is considering options for reviving middle schools as a result of protests from parents who are concerned about eighth-grade students attending classes in high schools, board President William A. White said.

The district sends youngsters in kindergarten through seventh grade to elementary schools and those in eighth through 12th grades to high schools. If intermediate schools were brought back, they would serve grades six through eight.

The district closed its seven intermediate schools more than a decade ago because of declining enrollment. Plans to reopen them about two years ago were scuttled because of financial concerns.

There are seven elementary schools and three high schools in the district. White said that although board members support the concept of intermediate schools, members are concerned about whether the district can afford to keep them open. The board will study the plans at its meeting Monday.