Proposed School Changes 2024

As we continue to inform and engage the various communities impacted by these proposed changes, we are providing a list of frequently asked questions and answers to those questions. Have a question that isn’t addressed below? Please send your question to Executive Director of Communication and Community Engagement, Jessica Hull at jhull@rcsdk8.org. 

We encourage and welcome your active participation as we work together to maintain communities, create long-term stability, and maximize the use of our facilities to best serve our communities. 

General Questions

What has changed and why are we revisiting these decisions so quickly after the Board and District discussed them in Fall 2023?

Student enrollment accelerated dramatically in West Roseville. This is due to increased demand for new homes and accelerated timelines from home builders and developers. While RCSD continuously monitors enrollment trends and projects enrollment, unanticipated changes outside of our system often directly impacts enrollment. The school district is also attempting to provide new educational programs and options to families in the Stoneridge neighborhood. Stoneridge has the lowest cohort survival rate of any elementary school in the district as evidenced by the year-over-year enrollment drop from 3rd to 4th grade. Additionally, the district wants to create a long-term supportive learning community for the Deaf Education program. Stoneridge is the ideal location for this countywide program due to its location and size. For our Preschool programs, housing them on separate campuses is difficult for families and staff. Consolidation on one campus would be most effective and efficient. 

Why can’t we build another middle school now to alleviate overcrowding at Chilton Middle and Cooley Middle? Why can’t we build new schools sooner? How are new school locations determined?

Schools are part of master-planned communities. The next middle school property is located in the Placer One development. We expect to gain access to the property in the next 5-8 years, depending on the pace of development. The elementary schools in the works include one in the Winding Creek neighborhood in Fall 2026 and one in Amoruso Ranch in Fall 2029 or 2030.

Can’t adding more buses/bus drivers to RCSD solve some of these problems? 

No. Adding buses would simply allow us to move children scheduled to attend Chilton Middle School to either Buljan Middle School or Eich Middle School, which is not an acceptable solution due to the distance between these schools, as well as breaking up students from the community across other schools. We have also explored this option with the high school district who does not have the capacity to add routes. Adding buses to our fleet would entail extensive costly bus yard expansions and require additional bus drivers at a time when our country is experiencing a massive shortage of drivers. 

Will additional boundaries be changing?

The only boundary change proposed is to the developing community of Winding Creek – the elementary school boundary was originally directed to Cooley Middle and if approved, will be moved to Chilton Middle.

Could we be rezoned to attend Center Joint Unified School District?

No. 

Who is making these decisions?

The Board of Education.

These are big changes; why are we given such a short window for such big decisions?

The number of families moving into West Roseville necessitates changes to grade levels to maintain consistent feeder patterns and ensure that all students zoned for Chilton Middle School can attend Chilton Middle School. Conversations regarding grade level changes at Stoneridge and consolidation of our preschool programs have taken place over the last several years. At this point, we have now received Board direction to move forward with exploring them in a more formal manner.

Has the District met with employee associations regarding these proposed changes?

Yes, the District has met with both unions, RTA and CSEA, on all proposals.

Have you done any research to understand why enrollment is declining in the Center and East side? What about the growth on the West side? Is it faster than anticipated?

Yes. Many homeowners in Roseville’s center and west side have historically low home mortgage interest rates of around three percent (3%). Therefore, they choose to stay in their homes even after their children graduated from high school. 

The growth on the west side is faster than projected. 

Questions Specific to Stoneridge PreK-8/Deaf Education/C-STEM Proposal 

What is the reason behind this proposal? 

The school district is attempting to provide new educational programs and options to families in the Stoneridge neighborhood. Stoneridge has the lowest cohort survival rate of any elementary school in the district as evidenced by the year-over-year enrollment drop from 3rd to 4th grade. Additionally, the district wants to create a long-term supportive learning community for the Deaf Education program. Stoneridge is the ideal location for this countywide program due to its location and size. 

What if I want my 6th/7th/8th grade student to attend Eich Middle School? Is a transfer request guaranteed to be granted? 

Yes. The only caveat is if a child has a specific need that cannot be accommodated at Eich Middle School. 

What studies/research has been done on the TK-8 model of education?

There is a large body of research on various education models. Students who attend TK-8 models tend to do better academically and are more connected to their peers than students who transition to a traditional middle school model. This is mainly because there are fewer transitions from one school to another, and it’s a smaller campus community. 

What would be the benefits of bringing this change to the Stoneridge community other than “offering an alternative education model to those in the East Roseville area“?

A few of the more significant benefits are that it reduces the number of transitions a child has in their educational career, it provides a smaller and more personalized learning environment, and it will offer C-STEM courses. 

What will it cost to convert Stoneridge from a TK-5 to a PreK-8 campus?

Zero cost. Stoneridge was initially built as a K-8 campus. No conversion is needed. 

How will my child’s experience in 6th-8th grades be different at a TK-8 in contrast to a 6-8th grade middle school? This includes class changes, electives/enrichment classes, clubs, sports, PE, dances, etc. Would these students be separated? Will the 6-8th graders fully mix with the younger grades at recess, assemblies, lunch, etc, or primarily have their own area?

In a TK-8 school, 6th-8th graders experience a unique blend of middle school structure within a close-knit community environment. Students typically rotate between specialized teachers for core subjects, similar to a traditional middle school, but the transition feels more gradual due to the familiar campus and smaller setting. An elective progression of coding, robotics, and computer science will be offered. The world language will be American Sign Language (ASL). Clubs, sports, and social events will be available specifically for 6th-8th graders, giving them age-appropriate extracurricular opportunities.

For social interactions and campus dynamics, separate areas or scheduled times for 6th-8th graders at recess, lunch, and assemblies, allowing them independence while still feeling part of the broader school community. Sports teams will only be for middle-grade students against other local schools. This environment fosters leadership, academic growth, and a sense of community, as older students interact with younger grades in passing but primarily have their own spaces to enjoy age-specific activities and responsibilities.

Would Stoneridge be an IB school like Eich?

No, Sargeant and Eich are our District International Baccalaureate (IB) schools.

What will it cost to outfit Stoneridge to host the Deaf Education Program? What would it cost to outfit Stoneridge as a TK-5 and outfit Eich to host the program at the 6th-8th grade levels?

We are currently working with the Placer County Office of Education and our audio-visual vendor to gather these estimated costs for both scenarios.

What can you tell me about the UC Davis C-STEM continuum of courses (robotics, coding and computer engineering) and pre-K-14 Math curriculum being proposed for Stoneridge students?

You can learn more by visiting UCD C-STEM Middle School Curriculum.

Will this change to Stoneridge’s grade level configuration impact Eich Middle School and their IB Program?

Eich Middle School will maintain its IB Program and status. 

What additional staff will be added to Stoneridge if they become a TK-8 school?

6th grade core teachers; 7th grade core teachers; 8th grade core teachers; Integrated Math 1 (IM1)/Advanced Math/C-STEM teacher; assistant principal; counselor; and additional support staff as needed.

What transition programs or support will be offered to help students adjust to the new grade configurations, especially for students with learning differences like ADD? How will the school district ensure that students who require special education or learning accommodations receive consistent support throughout each transition?

Currently, our elementary school staff works closely with middle school staff to support students in transitioning from 5th to 6th grade. These practices would continue in transitioning students from 6th to 7th grade in the proposed plan. In addition to the documented accommodations and supports in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, parents may request an IEP or 504 meeting to include both the elementary and middle school staff to discuss and plan for the individual student’s specific needs in the transition.

Have the neighborhoods surrounding Stoneridge Elementary been notified that there is a proposal to bring junior high children into the neighborhood? Have any studies been conducted to see what additional impact adding the three grades into the neighborhood would have? Such as traffic and general city planning concerns?

We expect less impact because the 6th-8th grade children already reside in the neighborhood, and we are moving the preschool off of the Stoneridge campus, thereby reducing the amount of traffic from outside the neighborhood. 

Is there a financial benefit for RCSD by bringing the Deaf Education program onto the Stoneridge campus?

No. The Deaf Education program is administered by the Placer County Office of Education. 

Why do you believe that a school of this size should have an age range from Pre-K students to 8th graders?

Stoneridge was initially constructed as a K-8 campus. 

Would Mrs. Spears still be the principal and would there be an assistant principal to help with a school of this size and many more grades? What about the teachers? Would you be hiring new teachers with middle school grade level experience? Is there another counselor?

Mrs. Spears would remain as the principal. We would add additional teachers, an assistant principal, a counselor, and support staff as needed. 

Will the state law that middle schools don’t start before 8 a.m. apply for the middle school grades at Stoneridge? If so, will there then be staggered school hours?

PreK-8 schools are considered elementary schools. Therefore, the middle school start time of 8:00 a.m. does not apply. 

Will there be new boundaries drawn, or will we have the same Stoneridge boundaries/students for the 6-8 grades as TK-5?

All school boundaries for Stoneridge remain the same.

Will the bus route still be available from Stoneridge neighborhoods to Eich for those who elect to send their children to Eich?

The bus route from Stoneridge to Eich will be available for the next two years. After that, it will be evaluated yearly.

How will you ensure there is a large enough population of students for this program?

The program is dependent on parent choice. If a significant percentage of parents do not indicate an interest in a PreK-8 model, it will not move forward. 

I want my child to attend Granite Bay High School. Won’t attending another school increase their chances of being accepted to Granite Bay High?

No. The Roseville Joint Union High School District does not grant transfers into Granite Bay High School based on a child’s middle school or elementary school.

Questions Specific to Chilton Middle School (7th and 8th grade) and Feeder Elementary Schools to TK-6th grade Proposal 

How does Winding Creek moving from Cooley Middle to Chilton Middle impact both schools?

Moving Winding Creek’s attendance boundary from Cooley Middle to Chilton Middle attendance area provides additional classroom space and allows all students zoned for Chilton to attend Chilton. Absent the move, there is not enough space for all Chilton families to attend Chilton. Additionally it allows Cooley to operate within its student capacity.

What would be the difference for my 6th grader now at an elementary school versus them attending a 6/7/8th grade middle school? Would they change classes? Would electives be offered? Would more clubs be available? My child is looking forward to Cross Country; Cheer, Band and Clubs at Chilton. How would this look if they stayed at elementary school? Will they offer the same things? What about electives? Will they have multiple teachers as they do at Chilton? Will they have the wheel as they do now at Chilton?

The elementary sixth-grade model would look similar to a fifth-grade class but may have a department-like feel, with one teacher teaching English and Social Studies and another teaching math and science. The elementary school model has the gift of time because they are not beholden to the bell schedule of middle schools and can plan more flexible curriculum extensions and enrichment activities without being interrupted by the “next” period.

The district is committed to exploring options for after school enrichment activities including clubs, music and cross country. Once the teachers are hired and are able to begin planning the 2026-27 school year together, each elementary school will have a sixth-grade welcome event to share the fun and exciting information with students and families.

Chilton will support every child onboarded to Chilton from seventh grade with their Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) program and will continue to have band, Project Lead the Way, and sports for students. Many neighboring districts successfully offer the same model, with only 7th and 8th-grade students being in middle school for two years.

What is the timeline for this decision? Could this start next year as a pilot?

We expect the decision to be made by the end of the calendar year. We would then implement the change in the 2026-27 school year, when the elementary school in the Winding Creek development opens to allow for these students to leave their current schools, creating capacity at the elementary feeder schools for 6th grade.

I live in the Winding Creek neighborhood and was told we were feeding into Cooley Middle School. Why does this recommendation change my middle school boundary to Chilton Middle School?

The recommendation to adjust the Winding Creek boundaries aims to keep students from the Winding Creek community together from elementary through middle school. Currently, Winding Creek students attend Chilton elementary feeder schools but are redirected to Cooley Middle School when they enter 6th grade. By adjusting the boundaries, students can remain with their peer group as they transition from elementary to middle school, fostering stronger community ties and continuity in their educational experience. This also helps to reduce projected overcrowding at Cooley Middle School.

Beginning in 2018-19, RCSD enrolled some families in the Winding Creek area to the Cooley Middle School feeder pattern. Those students assigned will be allowed to continue to Cooley Middle School. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, all families in the area will be zoned to attend the new elementary school in Winding Creek. 

Why aren’t all schools moving to a TK-6 for consistency? 

Currently, not all of our elementary schools, especially those within the Cooley feeder pattern, have the capacity to accommodate a TK-6 grade configuration. Classroom space at certain sites make it challenging to implement this model uniformly across all schools. 

If I want my child to attend a 6/7/8 middle school, are there transfer options available?

Yes, both Buljan Middle and Eich will remain 6/7/8 campuses and are open to transfers. Families are responsible for transportation to and from school. Cooley Middle School is full and will not be accepting transfers.

I believe it would be more beneficial and practical to change ALL current elementary schools on the west side of Roseville to TK-6th grade and change Cooley Middle School to 7th & 8th just like Chilton is being proposed, this would ensure less confusion and would be easier to implement knowing all Elementary Schools are TK-6th in west Roseville and all Middle Schools are 7th-8th grade only. Can we consider this option?

Currently, not all of our elementary schools, especially those within the Cooley feeder pattern, have the capacity to accommodate a TK-6 grade configuration. Classroom space at certain sites make it challenging to implement this model uniformly across all schools. 

What does this mean for the feeder elementary schools? Where are the classrooms going to be for the 6th graders? Will this affect the school having a TK program? Won’t these schools then be overcrowded? What will class sizes be for TK-6?

Currently, there is adequate space to accommodate 6th grade students at Orchard Ranch, Junction, Riego Creek, and Westbrook Elementary Schools. Not all elementary schools in the district currently have TK programs, and district staff is evaluating which programs will be offered at each site. These decisions will be finalized prior to the 2026-27 school year. 

What about the impact on special education students?

The district will continue to provide a continuum of special education services and programs for students with disabilities. Each year, the district thoughtfully considers the placement and staffing needs for special education programs and services to ensure they are available at students’ schools of residence or as close to their community as possible. There is adequate space to maintain the current programs in the Chilton feeder pattern with the proposed plan. Adjustments are made each year to the location of special education programs due to the current enrollment and needs at that time.

What will our options be if we have a child at a non-Chilton feeder school, but their home school middle school is Chilton? We would also have siblings at Chilton. What would our options be?

Students would attend their current school through the highest grade offered. If the school is a TK-5, they would then attend their home school for 6th grade before attending Chilton for 7th and 8th grades.

Beginning in 2018-19, RCSD enrolled some families in the Winding Creek area to the Cooley Middle School feeder pattern. Those students assigned will be allowed to continue to Cooley Middle School. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, all families in the area will be zoned to attend the new elementary school in Winding Creek. 

What specific measures will be in place to support students and families through this transition, particularly as they adjust to a new TK-6 model in elementary schools and the 7-8 configuration at Chilton Middle School?

Once the teachers are hired and can start planning for the 2026-27 school year at each elementary school, there will be a welcome event for incoming sixth graders. This event will provide fun and exciting information for students and their families. Chilton will extend its successful sixth-grade onboarding process, known as WEB (Where Everyone Belongs), to seventh grade, ensuring continued support for students transitioning from sixth to seventh grade in the coming years.

Staffing: How will the district ensure that staffing levels at both elementary and middle schools meet the needs of this new configuration, particularly in areas like counseling, special education, and support staff?

The district prioritizes adequate staffing to meet the needs of our students in this new configuration. By conducting thorough assessments of staffing levels and student needs, ​we will strategically allocate resources where they’re needed most. Additionally, ongoing communication with teachers, counselors, and support staff will help identify any gaps and ensure that all areas, including counseling and special education, are well-supported.

What about the start time laws, do they change for 6th graders at elementary schools?

Sixth graders at the elementary schools will start at the same time as the other TK-5 students at the elementary school site.

Besides the obvious relief of pressure at Chilton, are there any other pros and cons of these changes?

This is a change to school configurations which will have differing opinions. Pro – every family who purchased a home within attendance boundaries can attend Chilton. Con – for those families who believe middle school should be three years, it is only two.

What about the equity of teacher prep periods for 6th-grade teachers at elementary sites vs. 6th-grade teachers at middle school, who have one prep every day?

Elementary will have 105 minutes per week and Middle School will remain with the prep periods each day.

What is the District’s plan to support special education caseloads at elementary sites with 6th grade? Will sites receive an additional Resource Specialist teacher and/or full-time psychologist to support these growing needs?

Educational Support Services will continue to monitor caseloads and assign staffing to school sites based on the number of students with special education services and the number of programs on a site. We anticipate there may be a need for additional staffing at elementary sites or a shift in needs from the middle to elementary schools with the proposed changes.

How will the elementary schools support the 6th graders with the difference in grading scales? (Elementary has Approaching, meets, exceeds, vs. Chilton has a 4-8 grading scale.)

Sixth grade at the elementary school level will continue to use the grading scale, as do all middle schools.

With the proposed plan of adding 6th grade to Riego for the 2026-27 school year, will TK students from Fiddyment go back to their school?

The district will determine the TK program sites for the 2026-27 school year before registration begins for that school year.

Questions Specific to Locating our Preschool Program on One Campus 

Where are preschools currently located in RCSD and why/how were they placed there?

The preschool program is currently located at Kaseberg and Stoneridge Elementary Schools. These campuses were chosen because they had available space and/or are centrally located within the district, making them more accessible for families across RCSD.

What options exist for a consolidated Preschool Program at one site?

Kaseberg Elementary School and Woodbridge Elementary School.

If Woodbridge Elementary School were to be considered as the location of the Preschool Program, what would that mean for TK-5 students currently attending Woodbridge?

The elementary boundaries of Woodbridge would be changed to Kaseberg Elementary School’s boundaries and students would attend Kaseberg.

If Board approved, when would Woodbridge transition to a Preschool?

The earliest this could happen would be the 2026-27 school year.

What are the requirements for considering/completing a school closure in California?

Woodbridge would not close. The current grade configuration of the school would be adjusted to preschool only.

How would this affect the ASES program at Woodbridge?

Any after-school services or activities funded by the ASES grant would end, and students enrolled in the program would need to find alternative options for after-school care. The school district would need to work with families to find alternative after-school care options for affected students. We would do so through ELO-P and Kaseberg Adventure Club, which has a Health and Human Services Grant.