What about the safety of 6^th grade students being with older students? 

Student safety is always our #1 priority in Warren County Public Schools.  The addition of 6^th grade at the middle schools will not impede this priority.  WCPS’ district-wide implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) will allow for a smooth transition.  Our middle schools have implemented the framework with fidelity and are committed to building a safe and respectful learning environment in order to build relationships and optimize learning.   The consistency of expectations will enable 6^th graders to successfully and smoothly transition to the middle schools. 

Parents can be confident the safety of 6^th grade students will not be compromised in the middle schools.  In fact, moving 6^th graders to the middle school allows for an additional year of building relationships with staff, which has proven to be key in academic success at all grade levels and is particularly critical during early adolescence.  Additional personnel will be allocated specifically to support the transitional year of 6^th grade students at each middle school.