The San Diego Unified School District has reversed its decision to eliminate the middle school grades at Bethune K-8 School following strong community opposition. However, the district will proceed with plans to phase out middle school programs at three other K-8 schools: Golden Hill, Audubon, and Fulton.
Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula announced the change for Bethune during a community meeting, citing the passionate response from parents, students, and staff. The other three schools will transition to K-5 elementary schools starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
Key Takeaways
- San Diego Unified initially planned to close middle school grades at four K-8 schools: Bethune, Golden Hill, Audubon, and Fulton.
- Following a community meeting, Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula announced Bethune K-8 would retain its middle school program.
- The decision to transition Golden Hill, Audubon, and Fulton to K-5 elementary schools remains in effect for the 2026-27 school year.
- The district's stated reason for the closures is to provide students with more comprehensive college and career preparation options available at larger middle schools.
District Announces Phased-Out Programs
In mid-September, families at four K-8 schools in the San Diego Unified School District received a letter announcing a significant change. The district informed parents at Bethune, Golden Hill, Audubon, and Fulton that the middle school grades (6-8) at their campuses would be eliminated.
The letter stated that these schools would become K-5 elementary schools beginning with the 2026-27 school year. According to the district, the move was intended to "ensure students are offered a wide variety of options to become college and career prepared." The communication also included information about alternative middle school sites for the affected students.
The announcement surprised many families and staff members, who felt they were not consulted before the decision was made. Frederick Dela Cruz, a parent of a fourth-grade student at Bethune, expressed the community's reaction, stating, “We were just shocked because we weren’t expecting it at all.”
Understanding K-8 School Models
K-8 schools combine elementary and middle school grades in a single campus. Proponents of this model often point to benefits like a smaller, more tight-knit community, smoother transitions for students between grades, and the ability for older students to mentor younger ones. However, some districts argue that larger, standalone middle schools can offer a wider range of elective courses and extracurricular activities.
Community Rallies to Save Bethune Middle School
In response to the district's plan, the Bethune K-8 community organized a meeting on their campus to voice their concerns directly to Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula, who was in attendance. The event drew a large crowd of current students, parents, alumni, and teachers, all united in their effort to save their middle school program.
Speakers at the meeting highlighted what they described as Bethune's unique strengths and successes. Teachers spoke about the school's distinctive educational model, recent improvements in test scores, and the introduction of new academic and sports programs that have benefited students.
The personal stories shared by attendees underscored the school's deep community roots. Arlene Grace Nagtalon, a former student who graduated in 2017, shared her experience. “Bethune taught me what the definition of community is, and I only want for other folks to experience what that looks like as well,” she said.
Impact on Teachers and Staff
For educators, the initial announcement created significant uncertainty. Sara Ovadya, a math teacher at Bethune since 2011, noted the professional and personal concerns. "To be separated from colleagues that we’ve grown so close to, that was definitely a real concern," she said. "But the bigger concern was always about the students and about what was best for them.”
A Superintendent's Reversal
After listening to the passionate testimony from the Bethune community, Dr. Bagula addressed the crowd. She acknowledged the powerful sense of unity and dedication displayed at the meeting.
“This type of corazon that you have here, this is what every single school should have. It does take a whole community showing up. I love that you’re here even when your kids aren’t going to be impacted, or they’re graduated. This tells me a lot about you.”
Dr. Bagula then made the announcement the community had hoped for. “So please know, we’re not touching Bethune. It’s going to stay there,” she declared. The room responded with a standing ovation, celebrating the successful effort to preserve their middle school.
The reversal was a moment of relief and vindication for those who had campaigned to save the program. “I had no idea that this was what was going to happen, but it was the right decision. It was the smart decision,” said teacher Sara Ovadya after the announcement.
Mixed Outcomes for Affected Schools
While the Bethune community celebrated its victory, the outcome was different for the other three schools. A district official confirmed that the plan to phase out the middle school programs at Golden Hill, Audubon, and Fulton K-8 schools will proceed as originally planned.
This means that starting in the 2026-27 school year, these three campuses will operate solely as K-5 elementary schools. Students currently in the lower grades who would have attended middle school at these locations will need to enroll in other designated middle schools within the district.
Next Steps for Displaced Students
The district has stated it will work with the families from Golden Hill, Audubon, and Fulton to ensure a smooth transition. The process will involve:
- Providing information on designated receiving middle schools.
- Outlining the school choice and enrollment process.
- Offering support to families navigating the change.
The decision highlights the complex challenges school districts face when balancing budget constraints, enrollment trends, and academic programming with the desires of local school communities. For Bethune, community advocacy proved effective, while for the other three schools, the district's broader strategic goals took precedence.
