Show submenu for About
Show submenu for Students & Families
Show submenu for Departments
Show submenu for Community
Strong Foundations
Show submenu for

Fifth Grade Transition: Resources for Families of Current 4th and 5th Grade Students

Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, fifth grade will move to Hockinson Middle School. This page will be updated throughout the 2026-27 school year with information, resources, events and answers to help families prepare.

Information for Your Family

Current 4th Grade Families: Preparing for Fifth Grade at HMS

Incoming fifth graders will attend school on the middle school campus next year, with a school experience designed specifically for their age and needs.

Indoor photo of a common area with classroom doors.

  • Location: 5th grade will be located in the central pod at HMS. This space is separate from all other grade levels, and students in grades 6-8 will not walk through this space throughout the day unless there is an emergency.

  • Electives: 5th grade students will continue to have access to band, art and PE electives. All 5th grade electives will take place during 7th period. 

    • 5th grade students in band will rotate every two days between band and PE in an A/B day schedule. Band and PE will be offered for the entire school year. 5th grade band students will take a bus down to HHS to take band class with the talented Mr. McEnry.

    • 5th grade students who are not in band will rotate every two days between music or art and PE in an A/B day schedule. Music will be offered to students for one semester, art for the other semester and PE for the whole year.

  • Annual Balloon Launch: The annual balloon launch will continue at Hockinson Middle School.

  • Biztown Field Trip: 5th grade students will continue to go to Biztown next year.

  • Library: Our media tech has been working hard to include books geared towards 5th grade readers in our middle school library. We are also working on creating a separate section in the library for upper grade readers only.

  • Chromebooks for 5th grade students will be staying at school in their classroom charging carts. They will not be traveling home with students.

  • Curriculum: 5th grade students will continue to learn from the current curriculum offerings we have for our current students in ELA (Wonders) and Math (Amplify Math).

  • After School Clubs: In order to create a sense of belonging, after school clubs for 5th graders will be similar to how they run currently. We will be looking for parent volunteers to run these activities for students. If you would like to volunteer to host a club next fall, please contact Hockinson Middle School!

  • Leadership: 5th grade leadership group will meet after school and align projects with our 6-8 leadership classes. Students in leadership will get to help lead assemblies and also plan for a 5th grade specific after school social.

Resources for current 4th grade students and their families

  • Family Information Night & HMS Tour: Monday, October 19, 6:30-8 p.m. at Hockinson Middle School

  • School Tour: Wednesday, October 21, 8-11:30 a.m.

    Hop on a school bus at the Hockinson Community Ed Center to join us for the entire tour, or drop in for the tour of the middle school at 9:30-10:30 a.m.

  • 4th Grade Visits by HMS Leadership Staff:

    November through February

  • Forecasting Day:

    March 8, 2027

  • 5th Grade Visit to HMS:

    June 8, 2027

  • 5th Grade Hornets Rising:

    August 2027

  • 5th Grade Hornet Academy:

    August 2027

Additional family engagement opportunities will be scheduled during the 2026-27 school year.

Current 5th Grade Families: Preparing for Sixth Grade at HMS

Current fifth graders will also be new to Hockinson Middle School in 2027-28, when they enter sixth grade. We recognize that these students will be making their own important transition from elementary to middle school at the same time fifth grade moves to the HMS campus.

Transition planning will include support for incoming sixth graders so they can become familiar with their new school, routines, staff and expectations.

Join us for a Tour of Hockinson Schools!
Wednesday, October 21, 8-11:30 a.m.

Hop on a school bus at the Hockinson Community Ed Center to join us for the entire tour, or drop in for the tour of the middle school at 9:30-10:30 a.m.

We will also continue to do the following events to support incoming 6th grade students next year:

  • Forecasting Day:

    March 8, 2027

  • 6th Grade Hornets Rising:

    August 2027 at

    Hockinson Middle School

  • 6th grade Hornet Academy:

    August 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

We will continue adding and updating answers as transition planning progresses.