Scotch Plains-Fanwood Fifth Grade Moving Back to Elementary Schools

According to Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools.

Keeping fifth graders in their elementary school will become the standard across Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools next school year. The district confirmed the plan in an Oct. 28 update.

The change follows a pilot year at Brunner Elementary School in Scotch Plains. Nearly 90 fifth graders stayed at Brunner this fall because the district was short on space. The district says that freed up much needed room at Nettingham Middle School. Here is what Union County Life readers should know about why it is happening and how Brunner students are getting ready for middle school.

The plan started with a crowded class. The district announced it in December 2025. At that time, the fourth grade class was the largest the district had seen in at least 20 years.

Nettingham and Terrill middle schools served grades 5 through 8, and neither had room for the whole class. Nettingham expected 284 incoming fifth graders. A typical class there is about 220. Fitting everyone would have taken six more classrooms than the building has.

The district's answer was a phased plan to bring fifth grade back to all five elementary schools, starting with Brunner. This year, fifth graders from School One and Evergreen continued at Nettingham. Fifth graders from Coles and McGinn continued at Terrill.

"The plan at Brunner Elementary gives us an opportunity to evaluate a future model for our district," Superintendent Dr. Joan Mast said when the plan was announced.

Space at the elementary level also came from a new building. A revised referendum passed in January 2025, which let the district buy La Grande Elementary School in Fanwood. La Grande was set to open this school year as the home for all nine district preschool classes. That move would free up classrooms in the other elementary buildings.

Staying at Brunner does not mean Brunner fifth graders are cut off from middle school. The district has set up a series of Mix & Mingle visits at Nettingham. Students go there eight times this school year to meet future classmates and staff before sixth grade.

The first visit took place recently. Students did team building games, icebreakers, and bingo boards. They worked with PALS student leaders, joined an art activity, and had lunch and recess with Nettingham students.

Seven more visits are planned. They include lessons in the Media Center, an introduction to physical education, and a fifth grade field trip and social.

"We want our Brunner students to walk into sixth grade already knowing their peers, recognizing their teachers and feeling confident," said Brunner Principal Dr. Scott Bortnick.

The connections go beyond the visits. Brunner and Nettingham students will share winter and spring concerts and combined clubs, and the district provides transportation for Brunner students. Bortnick said that coordinating it all has taken careful scheduling and teamwork among staff in several buildings.

Nettingham Principal Dr. Jocelyn Dumaresq said the two schools have worked closely so that Brunner students feel part of the Nettingham community. "It has truly been a team effort," she said.

The Oct. 28 update did not give school-by-school details on how the model will roll out next year. Families with questions about their child's school can contact the district directly.

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Source: Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools

Photo: Oliver Hung / Pexels