School Committee accepts middle-school restructuring recommendation to move to 5–6 and 7–8 model; phased rollout targeted for 2026–27

The Pittsfield School Committee on Feb. 12 accepted a recommendation from the Middle School Restructuring Committee to reorganize grade spans into a 5–6 early middle model and a 7–8 upper middle model, with a phased roll‑out the committee recommended target for full implementation in the 2026–27 school year.

The committee’s report, compiled after more than 20 hours of volunteer meetings, surveys and focus groups, recommended grouping grades 5 and 6 to provide an “elementary‑like cohort” focused on social, emotional and academic transition supports and grouping grades 7 and 8 to introduce early college and career readiness courses and credit‑bearing options. The report recommended instructional strategies including co‑teaching models, project‑based learning, non‑traditional schedules with longer blocks for deeper instruction, personalized instructional blocks for remediation or enrichment, and increased honors and accelerated offerings.

Committee members and presenters emphasized the recommendation is intended as a systemwide strategy, not a single operational step. Presenter Sarah Muehl, a parent and committee member, described the plan’s goal as “inclusive, equitable, and sustainable changes…