School changes announced

A pilot program that added seventh and eighth grades to Juan Soria Elementary School in Oxnard is about to be copied.

Educators said it helps teachers get to know their students in a smaller setting.

Parents are also giving the plan an A-plus.

There is now a waiting list to get into the school.

With that in mind, Oxnard School Board members voted unanimously to add seventh and eighth grades to five other schools.

Board members believe it will reduce overcrowding and increase test scores.

They also plan to add sixth grades to three intermediates schools.

Other elementary schools would teach children from kindergarten through fifth grade.

School officials hope to have all the changes in place by the start of the school year in 2014.