Acushnet Schools Moving Fifth Grade Out Of Ford Middle

A Big Change For Acushnet Students

A major change is coming to Acushnet schools next year, and it could impact hundreds of families.

Fifth grade students will be moving from Ford Middle School back to Acushnet Elementary School starting in the next ‘26-’27 school year. The decision was approved unanimously by the school committee this week.

Why The Move Is Happening

According to Superintendent Dr. Paula Bailey, the change is being made for both budget and student development reasons.

“Our responsibility is to create a fiscally responsible budget designed to provide all students with an excellent education in a safe and supportive environment,” Bailey said.

Right now, the middle school model requires five teachers for fifth grade. At the elementary level, only four are needed. That difference helps the district reduce costs at a time when budgets are tight.

The move also allows Ford Middle School to operate more efficiently with fewer students in the building.

A Better Fit For Students

School leaders say the move is not just about saving money. It is also about what is best for students. “Moving the fifth grade back to the elementary school model allows this preteen population an additional year in a cohort based environment focused on social development,” Bailey said.

Fifth grade has traditionally been part of the elementary school model. It was moved to the middle school more than 20 years ago due to space and class size issues.

By bringing fifth grade back to the elementary school, students will spend one more year in a setting designed for their age group. That includes learning in the same group of classmates and following routines like lunch, recess, and transportation with younger students.

What Families Are Saying

So far, the response from families has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Bailey.

Some current fifth grade students even shared with her that they would have liked an extra year in the elementary setting before moving to middle school.

School officials believe it will give students more time to build confidence and strengthen their skills before moving on to middle school.