ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 1997 TAG: 9702200025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
The New School, a private school for elementary school age children, is adding a sixth grade.
Sean Cox, a parent who volunteers his time for the 25-year-old school, said he has heard from many parents who don't want to send their fifth-grade children to middle school.
"The level of academics is just better," he said. "People would prefer a small class environment where they do a lot of interactive projects and individual attention."
Cox said a handful of parents plan to enroll their children for sixth grade, but the added bodies should affect the small school greatly. The 30 children who attend the alternative school aren't grouped strictly by traditional age levels, but by ability.
Kate Morgan, who teaches fourth- and fifth-graders now, said the older students often work with younger ones. Her fifth-graders are working on algebra, a math course usually undertaken in seventh grade. Her students are not graded per se, but evaluated based on portfolios of work.
Cox said the school's rooms are large enough to handle sixth-graders, but eventually they may need to find a new building. And next year?
"If the interest is there, we may add a seventh grade too," he said.
LENGTH: Short : 33 linesby CNB