Middle schools split by grade, not by neighborhood, this fall

What happened

Starting fall 2026, all Pittsfield 5th and 6th graders attend Herberg Middle School and all 7th and 8th graders attend Reid Middle School, replacing the old system where each middle school served its own neighborhood.

Why it matters to families

Almost every middle-school family in the city has to adjust to a new building, a new bus route, and new classmates. The district says the switch lets both schools offer more electives and expand world-language and STEM classes.

The evidence

The June 10, 2026 minutes describe staff and student assignments and transportation planning capped at a 45-minute ride, and note the new structure: 'Grade 5 will be a departmental model' with a shorter recess in exchange for a second elective, and three teams per grade level in the 7th/8th grade building.

The source