The future of 8th grade in Taunton, MA

*Adapted, with permission, from the letter previously sent and read to the school committee by THS teacher, Christine Stokley

We firmly believe that an eighth grade academy, where one location houses only eighth grade students, is not what is best for students, families, and staff.   We have seen firsthand that all of the eighth grade students being in one place has resulted in a variety of issues.  When eighth grade was housed in 5-8 middle schools, they were in a position where they were seen as leaders in the building, providing an opportunity to model for younger students, with some even providing mentorship to younger students.  At the high school, it is the opposite.  They are seen as the youngest, most immature group in the building, taking this sense of maturity and responsibility from them.  In a situation where there are only eighth grade students in a building, they will continue to be deprived of the opportunity to fulfill a role of building leaders, where they can gain the leadership skills and maturity that will likely lead to a better high school experience. 

The enormous behavior concerns among eighth grade students are largely not among other grades in the high school.  Eighth graders typically engage in conflict with other eighth graders.  Issues of cyber bullying and other social media fueled incidents with eighth graders are often with other eighth  graders.  Continuing to isolate this age group would not solve this very real issue. Furthermore, as a result of these issues, it would be remiss to ignore the very likely possibility that teacher turnover at an eighth grade academy would be high.  The eighth grade is a population of students that has demonstrated to us an enormous need of experienced support and guidance. The following data (from this year’s Taunton High School discipline records) illustrates the disparity in behavioral incidents between the eighth grade and grades 9-12:

Taunton High School Behavioral Incidents2024-2025 as of March 3, 2025 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12
# of recorded incidents | # of recorded  incidents | # of recorded  incidents | # of  recorded incidents | # of recorded  incidents
Disorderly conduct /insubordination (combined) | 97 | 39 | 62 | 27 | 3
Fighting/battery(combined) | 33 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4

There is a realistic possibility that teachers will burn out quickly when faced with the consistent behavioral challenges we know exist when this age group is congregated, and burned out teachers don’t stay in their positions.  Please consider the importance of doing all you can to create an environment conducive to high quality teacher retention. It may prove to be difficult to find teachers interested in these positions, and then, ultimately, to retain them. Students will not benefit from high teacher turn over, therefore, neither will the district. 

It is abundantly clear that our population is on the rise, and will only continue to grow with the development plans in place (Whittenton Mills, etc.). It stands to reason that one of the results of an increase of population is an increase in school numbers.  It is hard to believe that we will not need more schools to accommodate this in the future.  To ignore the benefit of creating a fourth middle school at the 2 Hamilton Street (formerly Coyle and Cassidy school) seems like a short term decision based on financial and administrative benefit.  What seems to be the best long term decision for all stakeholders is to turn the 2 Hamilton Street property into a fourth middle school.  This prepares the city for the inevitable rise in student numbers and would provide the ability to redistrict the city to accommodate the eighth grade going back down to middle school across the city of Taunton.  Most of the teachers, parents, and even students asked feel that eighth grade belongs in middle school.  This solution is likely the most expensive, and creates more work for the district in general, but it is clearly what is best for students, staff, families, and community stakeholders in the long run. 

We truly believe that the eighth grade students in the city will not thrive; academically, behaviorally, or emotionally, in an isolated setting.   Without the benefit of a heterogenous grade level setting, a smaller group of same age students, and the opportunity to succeed as building leaders with smaller class sizes, eighth grade students and teachers will continue to be at a disadvantage in the city of Taunton. An eighth grade academy will not solve the eighth grade problems that are faced by having them in the high school, it will only solve the high school’s problem of the eighth grade being there.

Thank you for your consideration on behalf of what is best for the wellbeing of our children, staff, and community,