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Middle School Transition FAQs
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The FAQ's below are designed to address common questions and concerns families may have during the transition to middle school in the 2026-27 school year. We recommend that you periodically check this page for responses to newly added FAQs. Thank you for partnering with District 58 to help make the transition to our new 6–8 middle school model a successful experience for your student and family.
If you have a question regarding the District 58 middle school transition, please submit those questions using the button below. If you have questions about your specific child, please contact your elementary school or middle school principal.
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Student Registration for new and returning students for the 2026-27 school year will open on Friday, February 13, 2026. Please view the information below to register your student. We ask that families please submit registration by Friday, March 13, 2026.
GO TO REGISTRATION PAGE FOR FULL DETAILS & INSTRUCTIONS
Why Early Registration Matters
Registration is the first step in a complex process to plan for the upcoming school year. By registering your child by March 13, you help District 58 effectively prepare to meet student needs. Early registration allows us to:
- Confirm student enrollment: Accurately estimate the number of students who will attend our schools next year.
- Plan staffing needs: Determine the appropriate number of teaching and support staff positions.
- Hire and retain quality staff: Recruit and retain high-quality educators and staff members for open positions.
- Prepare resources: Plan transportation needs and begin ordering instructional materials and other essential resources.
- Create schedules: Develop student and staff schedules based on anticipated enrollment and individual student needs.
Thank you for supporting a smooth transition to next school year by registering early!
District 58 will continue to contract with Thomson Reuters CLEAR, a third party vendor, to automatically verify student address information. The vendor will use parent and/or guardian names and addresses to crosscheck the information against other public electronic databases, such as utility companies, DMV records, property tax records. This service has been safely used by many surrounding school districts to verify student residency information, including District 99.
In some circumstances, additional documentation will be needed:
- Families of all new students
- Families of all kindergarten students (regardless of preschool attendance or current siblings in the District)
- Families that annually lease their residence
- Families that provide an affidavit of residency
- Families whose residency is not able to be electronically verified
If the District is unable to verify your address, you will be contacted by your child's school office to verify your residency in order to register for the 2026-2027 school year.
Verifying residency is an effort to protect taxpayers and district resources by identifying non-residents attending District 58 schools. Illinois law mandates that parents demonstrate residency prior to enrollment in school and allows for periodic verification to validate compliance with the law.
Join us for your middle school's 6th/7th Grade Welcome Night!
We are so excited to see our families on Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 PM (OMS) and Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 PM (HMS) for Incoming 6th and 7th Grade Welcome Night. During this presentation, we will talk about the middle school experience in District 58 and student support, among other logistics and information. We hope that you and your incoming student can join us!
FUTURE SPARTAN NIGHT - May 7 at Herrick
FUTURE SENATOR NIGHT - May 6 at O'Neill
Both Herrick and O’Neill Middle Schools will host Sneak Preview on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20 to help incoming students transition to the middle school environment. The Sneak Preview program is fully funded and supported by the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58. Students participate in a 1 ½ hour session for two consecutive days. Please see the flyers below to register and learn more. If you require transportation, please choose the session that has transportation available.
HERRICK SNEAK PREVIEW - Aug. 19 & 20
O'NEILL SNEAK PREVIEW - Aug. 19 & 20
This is an opportunity for students to pick up final schedules, walk their schedule, organize their locker on Tuesday, August 25 from 5:00-7:00 PM.
HERRICK LOCKER SET-UP - Aug. 25
O'NEILL LOCKER SET-UP - Aug. 25
Both Herrick and O’Neill provide parents/guardians with a weekly newsletter via ParentSquare. The purpose of this is to share important school information and upcoming event details for families and students. As this school year nears the end, you will be added to the distribution list for future newsletters.
Families will be issued a Chromebook and charger at Locker Set Up Night or within the first few days of school. Please help us remind your students to charge them every night.
The Herrick and O’Neill PTA offers a school supply order opportunity for families to order all school supplies that then get mailed to your home. This PTA is currently setting up the system with the new supplies for the 26-27 school year. When the system is ready for ordering, Miss Humphris and Dr. Perkins will send out communication.
All incoming 6th-grade students must have an updated physical examination and immunization record on file by October 15, 2026, to avoid exclusion from school. Any student interested in participating in any school sports throughout the year, must have a completed sports physical on file in the nurse's office prior to tryouts and/or joining a team. Families may use either the IESA Physical Form or the Illinois Child Health Examination Form. Physicals are valid for 13 months from the date of the exam.
We encourage families to email all required documentation to HEMedicalRecords@dg58.org for Herrick Families or ONMedicalRecords@dg58.org for O’Neill students as soon as possible. Please note that this email address is for form submissions only and is not monitored for questions.
Students at the middle school level get changed for Physical Education. Holy Cow Sports is the District 58 Middle School supplier of Gym Uniforms. Uniforms can be purchased starting mid-April.
The prices are as follows:
- T-Shirt Short Sleeve - $12.75
- Shorts (Regular Length) - $18.00
- Shorts (Long Length) - $19.50
All incoming students are encouraged to complete a reading activity over the summer. The Summer Reading List will be shared later this spring.
The first day of school is a full day of school on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Here’s what a typical day in the life of a middle school student will look like:
Students will follow a structured nine-period schedule that balances academics, enrichment, and support. Each day includes Math, Science, Social Studies, a double block of English Language Arts, Physical Education, two Exploratory classes (may include performing music and/or world language), and an Advisory/Lunch period. This structure ensures strong core instruction while giving students regular opportunities to explore interests and build skills beyond the core subjects.
Building maps and recent renovations are designed so many grade-level classrooms are located near one another, allowing students to move through the building more efficiently and with greater confidence. Advisory takes place with grade-level peers and focuses on connection, social-emotional learning, and student support.
Beyond the school day, students will have access to a wide range of sports, activities, and clubs throughout the year, helping them stay connected, discover interests, and build a strong sense of belonging within the school community.
The structured schedule for Advisory period is designed to ensure continuity and consistent student access to academic content. It incorporates dedicated time for team building, Second Step, Rush Executive Functioning, and targeted student support.
Students will have 23 minutes scheduled opposite their lunch period with grade-level peers, creating additional time for connection and support.
The schedule further provides opportunities for student leadership across grade levels, helping students build responsibility, collaboration skills, and a strong sense of community.
All students at the middle school level receive their schedule before the first week of school. Each school will send out a message to all families when schedules are live for families and students to see. There will be extra copies with student locker information available during Locker Setup Night on Tuesday, August 25.
The school day schedule in 2026-27 will allow for two periods of exploratory classes (or performing music and/or world language classes) daily. Exploratory classes will be offered on a trimester basis and will vary depending on grade level and other selected opportunities.
Students will not be able to self-select the trimester-based exploratory classes. Those will be assigned to students based on their schedule, and whether they choose to take performing music and/or world language.
Students will have access to a range of new and revamped exploratory courses, including
- Visual Art
- General Music
- STEM
- World Language Exploration
- Family and Consumer Science
- Technology & Learning
- Career Exploration
Starting in 2026-27, additional opportunities will be available for students to expand their interests and skills during the school day.
Performing Music - offered during the school day (not early bird)
- Performing music includes band, orchestra, choir
- Students can take choir alongside band/orchestra. This would occur during the same exploratory period. Students will rotate between classes throughout the week.
World Language - Spanish and French will be offered.
- Spanish will not be offered as a single-year course in 8th grade after next year (2026-27).
- We are transitioning to a 2-year world language program, which will be a 7th and 8th grade commitment.
Additional information will be shared with families during the week of February 2.
6th Grade Example Scenarios
1. One performing music class (band/orchestra &/or choir) and one exploratory class
OR
2. Two exploratory classes
7th & 8th Grade Example Scenarios
1. One performing music class (band/orchestra &/or choir) and one exploratory class
OR
2. One world language class and one exploratory class
OR
3. One performing music class (band/orchestra &/or choir) and one world language class
OR
4. Two exploratory classes
Student Services staffing is being thoughtfully planned to ensure equitable, consistent supports for students in the new middle school model. We want to reassure families that students who receive special services will continue to have their individual needs met, and transition planning is already underway to provide continuity of services and a smooth adjustment to the middle school environment.
School counselors are meeting regularly to prepare for additional and revised curriculum and to support students both academically and socially. Transition meetings for fifth- and sixth-grade students are scheduled and moving forward smoothly, with careful attention given to students who may benefit from additional supports. Student schedules will be built to maximize learning opportunities while ensuring appropriate services and accommodations are in place. Special Programs teams are actively preparing for incoming students, and a new Peer Buddies program is being developed to expand inclusive opportunities and foster a strong sense of belonging for all learners.
We encourage families to view the video on Transitioning to Middle School with an IEP.
Information on middle school sports and activities will be shared after spring break.