Capistrano Middle Schools to Begin Adding Sixth Grade

Starting this fall, the Capistrano Unified School District will begin converting the district’s middle schools to include the sixth grade, a move educators say will allow them to better serve children ages 11 to 14.

Almost all the district’s middle schools include just seventh and eighth grades. About two years ago, Niguel Hills Middle School in Laguna Niguel became the first district school to adopt a program for all three grades.

Under action recently taken by the Board of Trustees, the district will start converting all its middle schools through a four-year plan starting in the fall with the opening of Aliso Viejo Middle School.

Conversion dates for the following schools were also set by the board: Marco Forster Middle School in San Juan Capistrano, 1994-95; Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo, 1995-96; and Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente, 1996-97.

In addition, two future middle schools in the Forster Ranch and planned Las Flores communities will open for grades six, seven and eight in the 1995-96 and 1996-97 school years.