Monday night, SAISD held its very first choice night for 5th grade students, and it was so much fun to engage these students in some initial conversations about what they are looking for in a middle school experience.

I heard a variety of ideas, but common themes included more time outdoors, or outside school, doing hands-on, real-world things. Not surprisingly, young people today want to engage with technology, including robotics and drones, but they are also interested in other types of tactile experiences that involve making, building, and creating, including the arts.

As part of adding a middle school to be co-located with CAST Med High School, we are surveying middle school students; we will also conduct focus groups with students and parents, and we will conduct a series of design sessions with educators and the community.

As we enter a process of co-creation with the community, we couldn’t be more excited to see what unfolds! Stay tuned for a community launch – including a name for the school – to be held at CAST Med at 6 p.m. on March 6.

Jeanne Russell

Executive Director

CAST Schools