Middle School Enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
One of the cornerstones of the facilities project was to create smaller middle schools. Originally the plan called for the renovation of Livingston Magnet Academy and Hackett Middle School, plus the construction of the Stephen & Harriet Myers Middle School on Elbel Court.

However, because of the city's new charter middle schools, the district now anticipates the need for only two middle schools, Hackett and Myers, and one Pre-K-8 school, North Albany Academy.

Each of these middle schools serves approximately 600 students in grades 6-8, divided into teams of 100-115 students. Approximately 120 students are enrolled in grades 6-8 at North Albany Academy.

Q. What is wrong with the current middle schools?

Albany's middle schools have made great strides in improving the academic environment. Yet there is no getting around the fact that the schools were overcrowded. The original middle schools are using every available space for education. For example, bathrooms have been converted into music practice rooms, and closets are used by social workers and other staff members for student and parent meetings. 

Another problem is overall enrollment. In the past, both Livingston and Hackett have served up to 800 students at a time. Superintendent Eva Joseph points out that educational research repeatedly shows that smaller urban schools are more successful. "Long term studies show that smaller schools can significantly raise student achievement, reduce incidents of violence or disruptive behavior, combat student anonymity and isolation, increase attendance and graduation rates, and improve school climate," says Dr. Joseph.  

Q. How will this new plan improve the learning environment for students?

Not only are there be fewer students in each of the buildings, but class sizes are smaller by two to three students.

Q. Why bring sixth graders into the middle schools?

Studies show that students need to be in a school for at least three years to develop a sense of belonging. That's why most districts today have developed middle schools of grades 6-8. Bringing sixth graders into the middle school gives students access to science and technology labs, as well as other academic facilities not available in the elementary schools and thus helps them better prepare for the state's eighth grade tests and the Regents exams they will face in high school. Moving the sixth grades to the middle school level provides an added benefit to the elementary schools-- the district reduced the size of its elementary schools to about 450 students each.

Q. Why build a new middle school rather than renovate a building that already exists?

The district investigated many options, including the conversion of Philip Schuyler, Albany School of Humanities and Arbor Hill into a middle school. But all of those sites lacked sufficient acreage for a middle school program. 

Q. Why was the Kelton Court site selected?

During the four-year facilities planning process, the district looked at some 30 potential sites for a new middle school, but they all turned out to be inadequate for a variety of reasons. In fact, it was the search for the middle school site that kept the project from going to a vote any sooner than December 2001. At the time of the vote, the district intended to locate the new middle school on a site in Westland Hills Park. However, district officials have discovered that there would be too many environmental approvals needed to locate a school in a park. That's why the district went back to voters in May 2002 and asked them to approve the purchase of the Kelton Court site. 

Q. What is being done to minimize the impact of Stephen & Harriet Myers Middle School on the surrounding neighborhood?

The district is making sure that there is enough parking on the grounds so that staff and visitors don't park on nearby streets. The start and dismissal times are different from nearby Albany School of Humanities, minimizing traffic problems. Fencing and landscaping were added to shield the school from neighboring homes. Access to the school is only through Elbel Court, not surrounding residential streets. All cars and buses enter at Elbel Court, a dead end street with no houses nearby.

Q. What will be done to William S. Hackett Middle School to make it as attractive as the new middle school?

The building will be "gutted" and reconfigured. All classrooms will be enlarged and structured for six houses. Each house will also contain modern science labs. Many of the walls, ceilings and fixtures will be brand new and will contain up-to-date wiring for electrical and technology purposes. Each classroom will have Internet access. 

The school will receive new heating, ventilation and cooling systems that meet all current codes for fresh air circulation and temperature control. New fire alarm, telephone and security systems will be state of the art. Bathrooms will also be updated.

Many other improvements are slated, including:

• A new bus turnaround at the back of Hackett to provide for safer loading and unloading of students.

• Improved athletic facilities.

• Addition of stair towers at each end of Hackett for better and safer access from floor to floor.

• Installation of elevators, lifts and ramps to provide handicapped accessibility.

While Hackett will undergo major improvement, many of its finer features will be retained. For example, its three-story atrium at the main entrance will be left intact. The chandeliers, murals, terrazzo floors, stained glass and ironwork will be restored and cleaned.

"Hackett is one of the most beautiful school buildings in this area," says Architect Shawn Hamlin of Envision, one of the district's three architectural firms. "We will never be able to build a school like that again, and so renovating it is extremely exciting."

Q. How is student enrollment be distributed among the middle schools?

An interim enrollment plan has been developed until all the construction work is complete. (Click on the right-hand “quick links” for more information about enrollment.)

Q. How will the new charter schools impact enrollment at the district's middle schools?

Several new charter schools have opened and/or are slated to open in Albany. While the district cannot predict exactly how many students will choose to enroll at the charter schools, we can make  estimates based on capacity of the charters. Please click here to learn more about the impact of the charter schools on public middle schools in Albany.