RICHARDSON, Texas — It is a new season in Richardson ISD. The 2024-2025 school year marks the first with two middle school campuses open for sixth through eighth graders.
"Adding 6th grade, number one, it allows for three years of relationship building at what we know is a very pivotal time in children’s development," Richardson ISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum told WFAA.
Community support of a bond led to the move after a year of research, in which the district found 95% of school districts in Texas utilized a middle school, not junior high, format. Now, one school has been expanded and renovated, as Lake Highlands Middle School (LHMS) was built brand new.
“The availability of career and technology classes, actually having a classroom designed for that experience. They were just in awe. The cafeteria with 4 lines. Being able to see a digital menu board. There wasn’t anything the students just didn’t love,” Branum said.
When asked how nervous he was, sixth grade student Gregory Blocker quickly replied, “On a scale of 1 to 10, I was about a 8.”
“We’re all talking about how big it’ll be and not having recess," another sixth-grade student, Ross Trull, added about the changes.
It’s a big change for families.
Branum explained the district’s goal is, “really just assuring our parents we’re going to have supports in place to help them, as well as their students, transition to middle school.”
Since she’s now one of the big kids at LHMS, Jones shared this advice: “Be glad you don’t have to run around the building all season because you have a track now.”
“I think it gives you more time to get ready for high school too,” Ross added.
“I don’t feel like I missed out. I feel like this is better.” Trull agreed by saying, “Yea, me too. I think this is cool," Blocker responded.