What you need to know
PISD’s board of trustees received an update on expanded plans for sixth grade acceleration opportunities, which detailed a more individualized approach to supporting students.
Starting next year, instead of the current method of double-blocking English classes for all students, sixth graders will take a single 45-minute English or English honors course. If a student requires further support, the district will recommend them to take an additional 45-minute course, PISD Director of Secondary Academics Kristin Hebert said.
A similar Math Lab for students needing additional support, which would be taken on top of their core math class, is also being introduced.
“Through differentiated course structures, ... we ensure that enrichment and intervention coexist meaningfully," Hebert said. “... This approach allows us to meet students where they are and ensure that every student has both the challenge and support that is needed to thrive in those middle grades.”
Students demonstrating readiness in these areas would be able to use the opened up period for a second elective, including band, orchestra, choir, theater, art, or Spanish 1 or 2 for high school credit, said Mark Letterer, PISD executive director of school leadership and innovation.
The background
In recent years, the district has made the following updates to its middle school offerings:
- Adjusted school period schedules to allow teachers a professional learning period and seventh and eighth graders to access extra electives
- Introduced middle school soccer
- Began offering sixth grade honors English
- Began offering more high school credit courses
- Began offering a “Future Ready” course, which focuses on technology, character, study skills and core course intervention
Bowman Middle School Principal Felipe Torres endorsed the plan, adding that additional opportunities for career and technical education and high school credit courses in middle school would help students once they reached higher grades.
“What’s really beautiful about this strategy is that it tailors to individual needs, individual students, individual communities,” Torres said.
What’s next
Implementation of the team’s plan is already underway—principals met with teachers and counselors in late October, and parent nights providing information for families will continue through November.
Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year will open for students in December.
