Campostella residents meet to discuss K-8 concept

NORFOLK

A new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school is just the thing Campostella needs. Or the last thing.

Neighborhood residents put both views forward Wednesday at a forum at Campostella Elementary, where the School Board pitched the idea of building more K-8 schools, including one for the Campostella community.

Shawnte Williams was among parents who said the division should spend more on improving education in existing schools, rather than spend more than $30 million for a new K-8 building.

"My son can barely capitalize letters, and he's in the sixth grade," said Williams, who called for more teachers and tutors.

In contrast, Arthur Bowman, an education scholar at Norfolk State University, said K-8 schools give students continuity in their learning environment. "Going K-8 could be pretty good," he said.

One K-8 in the city is at Ghent School, and another is under construction at Crossroads. The division is considering having five neighborhood-based K-8 schools; parents could opt for K-8 or their area's traditional middle school.

Typical benefits of the K-8 model include less stress and unfamiliarity for students moving into middle school grades, fewer disciplinary problems, and high academic performance. But K-8 schools would offer fewer sports and nonacademic activities than a traditional middle school, the division says.

In their work session after the forum, board members were torn over whether to support more K-8 schools. They are likely to discuss the issue again at their monthly meeting next week.

Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com