This week, the Pacifica School District’s Board of Education will vote on a proposal that could dramatically reshape the educational landscape for our middle school students. The proposal seeks to reduce the availability of the K-8 school model, which currently serves 43% of Pacifica’s 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, by limiting it to just one school, effectively making the K-8 option accessible to only 17% of middle-grade students. In doing so, the Board would eliminate two K-8 schools—Ocean Shore and Vallemar—leaving only Cabrillo as a K-8 option. Kindergarten lottery numbers tell us K-8 schools are by far the more popular choice among families with 67% choosing a K-8 school.
At first glance, the shift may appear to be a minor administrative change, but it raises an important question: Are we sacrificing something valuable in the process? The K-8 model isn’t just a convenience—it has been shown to provide distinct advantages over the traditional middle school model, particularly during the crucial years of early adolescence.
The Case for K-8: Why the Shift Matters
In the 1970s, U.S. education experienced a shift toward the middle school model, with middle schools increasing more than sevenfold between 1,500 and 11,500. However, in recent years, cities like Baltimore, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York City have begun re-adopting the K-8 model, reversing the trend. Why? Because research has increasingly shown that middle school can be a time of academic and emotional turmoil for students, and the K-8 model offers a safer, more stable environment for navigating those turbulent years.
Two studies published in 2010 and 2012—the Columbia Business School’s Stuck in the Middle and Harvard Graduate School of Education’s The Middle School Plunge—found compelling evidence that the traditional middle school transition often leads to academic decline, increased dropout rates, and emotional struggles for students. The research highlighted several key takeaways:
- Academic Decline: Students transitioning into middle schools often experience significant academic setbacks.
- Long-Term Setbacks: These students continue to struggle with their academic performance through the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
- Dropout Rates: Students who attend middle school are more likely to drop out of high school compared to their peers in K-8 schools.
- Emotional and Behavioral Challenges: Early adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time, and the disruptions of transitioning to a new school can exacerbate emotional and behavioral issues.
In fact, several studies, including those in New York and Florida, show that students in K-8 schools have better academic outcomes, more stable peer groups, and fewer behavioral problems compared to their peers in middle schools.
Smaller K-8 Schools Benefit Neurodivergent Students
Smaller K-8 schools provide a supportive environment that reduces the need for costly accommodations, benefiting both children and budgets. As parent Tarra Knotts explains, “These struggling children are met where they are at… they are not made fun of or ostracized, they are treated like family because they have known them for up to 9 years.” Moving children to a larger middle school, especially during the difficult tween years, can disrupt this support. Research shows middle schools often have higher suspension rates, particularly for disadvantaged or disabled kids. In his book Lost at School, Dr. Ross Greene, PhD says, “Kids do well when they can.”
K-8 Schools in Pacifica: Test Scores & Beyond
At the district level, the data from Pacifica’s schools in 2023-24 reveal no conclusive academic advantage between students at K-8 schools and those at Ingrid B. Lacy (IBL) middle school when it comes to test scores in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. But test scores alone don’t tell the full story.
School climate plays a significant role in student success, and this is where the K-8 model shines. The middle school years are notoriously challenging for students, and the stability of staying at the same school from kindergarten through 8th grade provides a sense of continuity and community that can be crucial for emotional well-being.
One key indicator of school climate is chronic absenteeism. According to the California School Dashboard, IBL is struggling with higher absenteeism rates compared to the K-8 schools in Pacifica. Similarly, suspension rates are higher at IBL than at Ocean Shore, Vallemar, or Cabrillo. These disparities reflect the difficulties that middle school students often face in the traditional middle school model, where they are more likely to feel unsupported and disconnected within their school community.
The Hidden Impact: Special Programs and Inequity
K-8 schools are more than the sum of their parts. Take Ocean Shore, for example, the school boasts an award-winning Oceans 411 program that elevates 7th and 8th graders to serve as marine conservation instructors to younger students. This project-based, cross-grade program has been a tremendous success, thanks in part to the collaboration between elementary and middle school students. If Pacifica moves forward with the proposed cuts to the K-8 model, programs like Oceans 411 will be significantly impacted, depriving students of a valuable educational experience.
Moreover, the decision to eliminate the K-8 model would disproportionately affect the north end of Pacifica, where Ocean Shore is located. This area has a higher percentage of disadvantaged families, and taking away the K-8 option could further entrench existing inequities. For many families in these communities, the K-8 model provides a crucial opportunity for stability and continuity, helping to bridge the gap for students who may otherwise face greater challenges in the traditional middle school system.
Conclusion: A Call for Equity and Better Options
If Pacifica is truly committed to providing quality education for all its students, it should not reduce access to the K-8 model, which has been shown to support better academic outcomes, foster emotional stability, and contribute to a healthier school climate.
As the Pacifica School Board makes its decision, it should consider the long-term effects on students, especially those in disadvantaged communities who stand to lose the most from this shift. Rather than dismantling a model that has shown tangible benefits, Pacifica should seek ways to expand and enhance the K-8 option for all students, ensuring that every child in the district has access to the stability, community, and educational opportunities they need to thrive.
I am urging our school board and the citizens of Pacifica to stand up for K-8 schools and not take a step backward for Pacifica’s middle school students. Let’s keep our options open, and ensure that all students—regardless of their background—have the chance to succeed in a supportive and nurturing environment.
LiLing Pang
Parent at Ocean Shore School, Pacifica, CA
A shorter version of this post was published in Coastside News as a letter to the editor on January 21, 2025.
