District to Launch Intermediate School Next Year

Fifth and sixth grades will combine for additional WMS campus to make room at the elementary

Lexi Killam gives fourth grader Brynnlee Tucker a classroom tour through the middle school halls.

Claire Nelson, Editor in Chief
April 28, 2023

Incoming fifth grade students will move to the old elementary building to form an intermediate school with the six graders due to growth in the younger elementary classes. 

“Our plan is to split the middle school campus into two different campuses,” junior high principal Matt Rivers said. “We’re growing as a whole as a district, but this is also going to help alleviate the elementary’s growth as well. 

According to Jamie Dudley, the elementary principal, the elementary campus is growing by about 20 new students per year. 

“Our building will have the space to house all of our students and programs comfortably for several more years,” Dudley said. “We may even have the space to offer additional programs like a STEM lab or makers’ space.” 

In addition to moving buildings, the middle school will add two new teaching positions to accommodate the growing class sizes.

“The elementary is getting big, and that growth is finally starting to hit middle school and will hit high school soon,” Rivers said. “Mr. Dacy and the school board have been great in helping us with this growth and letting us add teachers.”

Junior high teacher Sherry Smith speaks to fourth graders about classroom expectations.

The fifth grade staff will also move their classrooms back into the original fifth grade hallway. 

“We moved almost twice over to the new elementary because we packed up and the building was not ready, so we unpacked and packed up again,” fifth grade teacher Darla Alexander said. “We’re really positive about moving back over there, although we will miss the people in the new elementary building.”

Fourth grader Lily Moses said she is excited to see the remodeled fifth grade hallway. 

“I’m excited to move into the new school, and they have spent a lot of time working on it,” Moses said. “I’ll miss being over here because all of my other teachers are in the elementary.” 

Even though the junior high campus will be split into intermediate and middle school, Rivers will oversee both campuses. 

“I am sad to see so many of our students leave the elementary campus,” Dudley said. “I am confident they will be in good hands!”