New International Baccalaureate School And Other Changes Ahead For Jeffco Middle School Students
Changes are on the way at some Jefferson County Schools following a federal judge’s approval of a realignment plan. It eliminates the system’s three remaining K-8 schools and spreads the seventh and eighth graders out to nearby high schools.
It also creates a new International Baccalaureate Middle School, that will be located in the former Pleasant Grove Middle School building.
Craig Pouncey, the superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, says the new effort “will compliment our IB program we currently have in grades 9-12 at Shades Valley. It will be open to all students throughout the district. We will provide transportation through a hub design.”
More than 200 students will be accepted into the first classes for the IB middle school, the superintendent said. Those students will start school on Aug. 15, while all other Jefferson County students will start school on Aug. 11.
Here are the changes announced today:
Middle school grades will be eliminated at Brighton School. Students in grades seven and eight will go to Pleasant Grove High School or Hueytown High School. School officials say this change will give the students access to more academic and extra-curricular activities.
Bagley Jr. High School will be converted to Bagley Elementary School, serving students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Corner School will become a middle school for grades five through eight. Students from these schools will go on to attend Corner High School.
Students in grades seven and eight at Pleasant Grove Middle School will now attend Pleasant Grove High School, while the sixth graders will go to the Pleasant Grove Elementary.
Changes that may change demographics or opportunities for minority students must be approved due to an ongoing desegregation order.
Memorandum Opinion and Order – Doc 1088 by WBHM News on Scribd
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
