Why aren’t we facing the reality that elementary students belong in elementary school?
Research shows the transition to middle school is a high-stakes turning point where academic performance often declines. Uprooting 10-year-olds from a familiar environment exposes them to social pressures they are not developmentally ready to navigate – cliques, heightened self-consciousness, and expectations designed for older students. This is not a thoughtful transition into adolescence; it is a disruption at a very vulnerable stage.
Keeping current fourth graders at Pell for their fifth grade year is not radical, it is responsible. It keeps students in a supportive environment with teachers who know them, and with routines they are familiar with.They gain confidence by being the oldest in school, as role models for their youngerpeers. Reversing course sends the wrong message: it says adult comfort outweighs student outcomes.
The stakes are high. Former Rhode Island State Police Colonel Steven O’Donnell’s investigation into the 2025 Rogers High School incident revealed years of systemic failure: fractured communication, lax supervision, and inconsistent discipline. He warned that the district has too often taken “the path of least resistance.” That is not just a high school issue; it reflects a broader pattern of avoidance that should concern every parent and taxpayer.
We are seeing that pattern again. Last fall, we voted to house fifth graders at Pell. The decision was based on research, available space, and declining enrollment. Now, some of my colleages are reconsidering. The data has not changed. No new insurmountable barriers have emerged. Only pushback from adults prioritizing convenience over what is best for children. This is exactly the “path of least resistance” O’Donnell warned against.
The time has come to focus on student success. As Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” In a district facing real challenges, every decision should move us toward stronger outcomes, not greater risk.
Colonel O’Donnell identified the problem. It is up to the community to insist on a solution. Giving elementary-age children an additional year to build confidence and strengthen their academic foundation is one clear, achievable step toward ensuring Newport’s students are on a path to brighter futures.
Contact your representatives. Attend the April 14 School Committee meeting. Demand accountability. Better yet, run for office. Several School Committee seats are opening this year. Be the change our next generation deserves.
Beth Cullen, Newport School Committee Member
