The West Memphis School Board has approved a new Instructional Realignment plan designed to better serve our students and prepare them for future success. After carefully reviewing current and projected data, district leadership initially proposed moving 6th grade students to the junior high schools and 9th grade students to the Academies of West Memphis beginning in Fall 2026.
Based on valuable input from both the community and district staff, leadership presented a revised plan that the board has now approved. Under this plan, 9th grade students will transition to the Academies of West Memphis in Fall 2026, while 6th grade students will move to the junior high schools in Fall 2027. This phased approach will allow for a smoother transition and ensure that facilities, staffing, and programs are ready to support students.
Realigning grade levels will open the door to new opportunities by providing targeted coursework and resources at key stages in our students’ education. Most importantly, this decision reflects your voices, your feedback played a critical role in shaping the plan that was approved.
We sincerely thank our families, staff, and community partners for their engagement in this process. While this was a challenging decision, it is one that positions our district and students for long-term success. Moving forward, there will be ongoing opportunities for your input as we begin the next phase of planning and implementation. Together, we are ensuring that the future of West Memphis schools—and the students we proudly serve—continues to move in the right direction.