Central Bucks School District leaders shared updates Thursday on two major initiatives that will reshape the district’s educational structure: the rollout of full-day kindergarten and a three-year grade realignment plan scheduled to take effect in 2026–27.
Kindergarten pilot launches at six schools
The district marked the launch of its first full-day kindergarten pilot this fall at Jamison, Mill Creek, Doyle, Cold Spring, Kutz, and Groveland elementary schools. Students spent their first week rotating through mini-lessons with different teachers and peer groups before classroom placements were finalized.
“This week marks the launch of our full day kindergarten pilot program,” a district video announcement stated during a slideshow presentation. “Our teachers, principals, and support staff are carefully observing and working together to ensure each child is placed in the classroom environment where they will thrive. Our ultimate goal is to create classrooms where students can learn, play, and grow academically, socially, and emotionally.”
The pilot will expand to all 15 elementary schools next year.
Realignment set for 2026–27
The grade realignment plan is designed to shift the current school structure of K–6 elementary, 7–9 middle, and 10–12 high school to a new model of K–5, 6–8, and 9–12.
Sixth graders will move into middle schools, and ninth graders will transition into high schools beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
Angela Hendershot, the district’s K–12 Health Education, Physical Education, and Grade-level Realignment Coordinator, emphasized the collaboration required to reach this point.
“But a lot of planning and preparation has gone on behind the scenes, highlighting all of the departments collaboratively working together to reach a common goal — our grade level realignment,” Hendershot said during Thursday’s presentation. “A huge thank you to our Human Resources department, which has been supporting us with hiring full day kindergarten teachers as well as assisting teachers who are interested in moving to a new grade level.”
She added that professional development has been a key part of the process.
“Professional development has been interwoven throughout our implementation of grade level realignment and to support the new full day kindergarten program,” she said.
A structured approach
The district’s timeline is divided into three phases: “Recommend” in 2023–24, “Redefine” in 2024–26, and “Realign” in 2026–27. Hendershot described the three-year implementation guide as the district’s “North Star.”
“We are very grateful for [our administrators] because they have provided us with solid information and feedback to support how this transition can be successful for our district,” she said.
Looking ahead
District officials reported positive feedback from families and staff during the kindergarten pilot’s opening weeks.
“Just watching that video makes our heart smile a little bit larger,” Hendershot said. “It has been incredibly positive feedback from our staff and our schools. We are just really excited about the continuation of full day kindergarten into all 15 buildings next school year.”
