September 1, 2009

An efficiency review of Charlottesville City Schools has prompted many community discussions about grade configuration.

Some of the re-configuration options may involve closing an elementary school, or sending fifth graders from upper elementary school back to the elementary schools.

A panel at Charlottesville High School featured education experts from the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. They answered questions from parents, specifically about middle school students. A popular topic was transitions for students from grade to grade.

"What do students, particularly middle school students need, which is what a lot of us focused on tonight," said Nancy Deutsch of UVa's Curry School. "How can we best meet those needs?"

School Superintendent Rosa Atkins is working with four different options dealing with school re-configuration. She will narrow them down to two, then present them to the school board later this year.

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