Incoming 6th Grade Hub
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year information center for our incoming 6th graders!
Find information about transitioning from elementary school to West Middle School. Use the menu on the left to navigate to different sections of the page.
Important Dates & Daily Schedule
School Hours
8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
5th Grade Parents Open House Night
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
5th Grade Step Up Day
Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Get Your Stuff Day
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Take school pictures
- Locker assignment
- Drop off school supply donations
- Meet with school nurse to drop off
- Immunization records
- Health plans-Diabetes, Seizure Disorder, Asthma
- Prescription medication needed during school hours
Open House
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 5-7 p.m.
New for 2025-26 - Middle School Early Release Days
To allow our staff to engage in essential professional development, Hopkins Middle School students will engage in four Early Release days a year. On Early Release Days, middle schools will release students two hours prior to the normal end time. Early Release Days for the 2024-25 school year will be:
- Thursday, October 23, 2025
- Thursday, December 11, 2025
- Thursday, February 19, 2026
- Thursday, April 16, 2026
What I Need!
The "WIN" (What I Need) program is designed to support and engage students in personalized learning. WIN offers flexible time each morning from 8:44 to 9:25 a.m. (Tuesday–Thursday), where students rotate through three types of sessions:
Support: Small-group sessions focused on personalized academic support, either in core subjects or enrichment activities, depending on student needs.
Community: Non-academic sessions aimed at building social connections and community among peers, with activities that encourage teamwork and engagement.
Study Hall: A quieter environment where students can focus on assignments, review material, and/or receive additional assistance.
Each week, students will participate in all three sessions, benefiting from a balance of academic support, social engagement, and independent study. Teachers may assign students to support or study hall based on need, while students can choose their community activities, creating a well-rounded and inclusive experience.
Enrichment/Recreational Options
- Board Game Club
- Chess Club
- Basketball
- Muslim Student Association
- Etc.
Daily Schedule & Class Structure
Doors Open: 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast Served: 8:15-8:30 a.m.
| CREW | 8:30 - 9:25 a.m. (55 minutes) | ||
| Block 1 | 9:29-10:44 a.m. (75 minutes) | ||
| Block 2 | 10:48-12:03 p.m. (75 minutes) | ||
| Block 3 | 12:07 a.m.-1:56 p.m. (109 minutes) | ||
|
1st Lunch |
2nd Lunch |
3rd Lunch |
|
| Block 4 | 2:00-3:15 p.m. (75 minutes) | ||
*4 minute passing time
A supply list will be added when it becomes available.
Meals
- Breakfast & lunch served
- Students can bring lunch from home
- Please no fast food delivered to school for your student
- Lunch daily has option of
- Hot Entree
- Salad bar
- Made-to-order sandwich bar
The Free School Meals Program was signed into law in the spring of 2023. This state-funded program allows us to provide meals at no cost to all students. The Free School Meals Program offers one free breakfast and one free lunch to each student every school day. Additional food items will require payment. Rates are below.
Second Student Meal: $5.00
Extra Milk: $0.60
Extra Student Entree: $3.15
Extra Fruit or Vegetables: $0.75
Students must have money in their accounts to purchase any additional item
Breakfast & Lunch Menus Special Diet Request Form Free Meal Benefit Application
Technology
- All students will be given an iPad and iPad charger to use for the school year.
- We have observed that cell phones can significantly impact the mental health of our scholars. West Middle School has a no cell phone policy bell to bell meaning that cell phone use is not allowed at all during the school day. Phones will be confiscated if seen during school hours and returned at the end of the day. Repeated incidents will require parents to pick up the phone from school. If needed, scholars can use the front office phone to contact home.
Transportation
Bus Transportation Form
All families that are enrolled in Hopkins Public Schools are asked to fill out a bus transportation form. If your child does not need transportation, please complete the form and select "Bus Not Needed."
Bus Route Assignments
The transportation department will contact families regarding their assigned bus stops, bus numbers and approximate bus pick up times. You will also be able to look them up using your child's district username and password. If you do not know your child's credentials, reach out to the Hopkins Technology Help Desk at 952-988-4111 on school days between 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
If you have questions regarding your child's bus assignment, please email the Transportation Office at SchoolBus@HopkinsSchools.org or visit the Transportation web page.
Bus stop change requests: If your bus stop change request is based on a change of address, please contact the District Enrollment Department to make the address change first. Enrollment Office: Enrollment@HopkinsSchools.org or 952-988-4110. Find the bus stop change request form here.
Athletics and Activities
We recognize that our middle school end times conflict with the starting time for athletic practice for 7th and 8th grade students participating in after school sports. Our transportation department has built in flexible options that will allow athletes to travel to practice locations.
If a student needs to be released for a high school sport:
- Educators will work to accommodate kids missing school
- Students and teachers will work together to identify scholar needs and supports.
- Typically content will have been delivered to class prior to the last 20 minutes of class
Attendance
If your child is ill or will not be in school for other reasons, please fill out our attendance form or call the absentee number at 952-988-4410.
Leave the following information: student's name, teacher's name, and reason for absentee or tardy. If your child will be absent due to travel or for some reason other than illness, please contact the school for instructional activities.
If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, the school nurse may provide you with specific instructions.
Before- and after-school care
Royal Zone is a middle school before- and after-school program offered on days that school is in session, Monday through Friday, in 8 week sessions at North Middle School. Participating West Middle School students will have transportation before and after school, to and from North Middle School.
Classes offered in each session will include student input and choice. Students will pick from a list of options including sports, cooking, music, homework help, and more.
Registration is required.
Building Hours & Security
The doors open for our students who are not a part of Kids & Company 15 minutes before school begins at 8:30 a.m.
All doors are locked once the bell rings for school to begin.
Caregivers picking up students early from school will need a picture ID to release their student.
Canvas and Infinite Campus
Canvas Learning Management System
Canvas is our District-wide learning management system. Using Canvas, teachers can collaborate to build world-class, student-centered experiences delivered in person, distance, or hybrid. Canvas allows each student’s learning to be in one central place. In addition, parents are able to observe and access their child’s classroom experience.
All parents and caregivers should create a Canvas Observer Account (parent account).
- With an CanvasObserver Account, a parent/guardian can see your student(s)
- course pages & daily agendas
- teacher feedback on formatives
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Parents and guardians can access attendance, schedule, fees, and final grade reports in their Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you have not logged in for a while, this is a great time to check your contact information and to verify that your census and ethnicity information is up to date. If you have a student attending North Middle School or West Middle School, you will also use the parent portal to view assignment scores. If you do not currently have an account, you can request an account on our website.
With Infinite Campus, a parent/guardian can:
- View most recent IB scores
- Check attendance
Communication
CREW Leader: First point of contact
Student Dashboard on Canvas Classroom: Information and student progress information
Conferences: Student progress information
Principal’s Weekly e-newsletter: Building information
Hopkins Royal Report: Bi-weekly e-mail newsletter with District wide information