The Morongo Unified School District in August will transition all of its sixth graders to its middle school/junior high campus.
Currently, elementary schools in Morongo Unified consist of grade levels kindergarten through sixth. Traditionally, upon graduation from sixth grade, students in the district move into junior high, which covers the 7th and 8th grade levels.
The Morongo Unified School District has 16 schools, including 11 elementary schools and five junior high and high schools. Four of the elementary schools – Condor Elementary School, Oasis Elementary School, Palm Vista Elementary School and Twentynine Palms Elementary School – are in Twentynine Palms. Twentynine Palms also hosts Twentynine Palms Junior High School and Twentynine Palms High School.
According to the district, “Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, all sixth-grade classes in Twentynine Palms will transition to Twentynine Palms Junior High School. This change will expand the junior high to serve students in grades 6 through 8, creating a more cohesive and enriching learning environment for middle-grade students.”
Morongo Unified Superintendent Dr. Patricio Vargas said, “After a thorough review of our current academic structure and the needs of our students, we believe this transition will provide significant benefits for our sixth graders. At Twentynine Palms Junior High School, students will have access to subject-specific teachers, offering more focused and specialized instruction as they navigate increasingly complex material.”
Sixth-grade students will also have access to a broader range of electives and extracurricular activities, which are not typically available in elementary schools, according to the district.
“These expanded opportunities will help your students grow academically, socially and emotionally as they prepare for the challenges of high school and beyond,” said Dr. Vargas.
According to the district, this adjustment aligns Twentynine Palms Junior High School with neighboring districts across the state, streamlining the transition process for incoming students, including the many military families the district serves. The change applies only to Twentynine Palms schools and will not impact students on the west end of the Morongo Basin.
As a result of the transition, the end of the 2024-25 academic year will be a unique one in Twentynine Palms as the current crops of both fifth and sixth-grade students will graduate from elementary school together. Both grades will participate in year-end celebrations and promotion events, recognizing their advancement to the next phase of their education.
“We recognize that change can bring uncertainty, and we are committed to providing the resources, guidance and support needed to ensure a smooth and positive experience for all students and families,” said Dr. Vargas.