The district is preparing for the 2026–27 boundary transition, including a major structural change: sixth grade is moving to middle school instead of staying in elementary next school year.
This kind of change affects families’ day-to-day routines, like which building your child attends, bus routes and ride times, school start and end times, after-school logistics, sibling drop-offs and pickups, and how students adjust to a new school environment.
Here’s what we know about the changes.
Student assignments for 2026–27 and what that means for your family
All students have been assigned to schools for the 2026–27 year based on the approved boundaries and program placements, and families were notified in November, according to the district.
If you received a 2026–27 assignment notice, that assignment is the district’s current default plan. Families should treat the assignment as “real,” even though details like transportation routing and transition events are still being built around it.
Parents can also check the approved 2026-27 boundaries with the updated district boundary map.
What happens if you want a different school than your assignment?
Since November, the district has received just under 300 residency exception requests. About two-thirds have been approved based on space and program capacity. Requests can continue and are reviewed on a rolling basis as space allows, according to the district.
Exceptions are not automatic and are not based only on preference. Decisions depend on whether space is available and whether a student’s program can be supported at the requested school.
Timing also matters: approvals may become harder to obtain as buildings fill up.
Sixth grade is moving to middle school
U-46’s big decision to move sixth grade to middle school means that families are navigating a big change. New buildings, a new structure, multiple teachers, bigger peer groups, lockers and different academic pacing are just a few of the things sixth graders will experience with this move.
What’s changing inside buildings
Classrooms, grade-level teams, and sometimes where programs like special education, ELL supports or intervention rooms are located might be changing in the upcoming school year to accommodate the changing student body. Principals began planning out instructional spaces in late November but moves won’t actually occur until the summer to minimize learning disruptions.
However, these changes could affect your child’s day at school, changing pick-up and drop-off locations, hallway or wing assignments, support spaces or even lunch schedules. The new school year may feel different for your child, so families should watch for district communication about changes to classrooms, schedules or student supports.
In December, school staff met to align projected enrollment and staffing so that each student has the support they need.
How transportation will be affected
With new district boundaries comes changes to transportation and bus schedules and routes. The district is analyzing routing with a focus on efficiency, ride time and safety. There could be changes to school start and end times to support routing.
So even if your child’s school assignment stays the same, a boundary shift can change their bus eligibility and stop, ride times, arrival and dismissal traffic patterns and before-school supervision needs.
What parents can do now
- Find and save your child’s 2026–27 assignment notice and school contact info.
- If you are considering an exception, ask your school for the related policy and form and understand transportation implications.
- Watch for February and March board updates. The board is expected to update the public on transportation and start and end times.
- Plan to attend spring transition events and bring specific questions.
- If you anticipate hardship like childcare, medical needs or disability supports, contact the Office of Schools early.
