Middle School Transition FAQs
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General Information
1. Why is the District opening Clifton Heights Middle School?
The District began the discussion of building a new middle school on the District owned property in Clifton Heights in 2018-2019. After years of legal battles, the District and the Borough of Clifton Heights agreed to a settlement. The District would be permitted to build a new middle school, and the District would turn the fields over to the Borough after the school construction is completed. The District needs a new middle school to ease overcrowding at Beverly Hills Middle School and Drexel Hill Middle School.
2. When is Clifton Heights Middle School expected to open?
Clifton Heights Middle School is scheduled to open in August of 2026. We do have backup plans to open in January of 2027 if there are significant delays with construction. At this time, however, we are scheduled to open in August.
3. What happens if the opening of Clifton Heights Middle School is delayed?
The District has alternate plans to open the school in January of 2027 if there are delays in construction. If this were to happen, students would remain at DHMS and BHMS, and the redistricting would take place in January 2027 instead of August 2026.
The District has been working on scheduling staff and students for both an August and January opening. Students will continue to receive their scheduled courses, although teacher assignments (particularly for elective courses) may differ. The District will communicate any updates to families as information becomes available.
4. Which elementary schools will feed into Clifton Heights Middle School?
Please keep in mind that we are also redistricting elementary school students, but for purposes of this FAQ, we will focus on Clifton Heights Middle School. The District updated school boundaries over the past several years.
You can find this information in Board Policy 206: Assignment Within District. You can also refer to the policy attachment which provides a list of addresses school boundaries or enter your address using the Transportation Eligibility Lookup Tool linked below.
Students who would typically attend Primos Elementary School, Westbrook Park Elementary School, and Garrettford Elementary School who transition into 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade will be attending Clifton Heights Middle School. Students who participate in a special education program(s) for Life Skills Support, Emotional Support, or Autistic Support may attend Drexel Hill Middle School or Beverly Hills Middle School.
5. Which elementary schools will feed into Beverly Hills Middle School?
Beverly Hills Middle School will serve students from the neighborhoods of Stonehurst Hills (Stonehurst Hills Elementary School and some former Charles Kelly Elementary Students) and Bywood (Bywood Elementary School and the former Walter M. Senkow Elementary School). We recognize that there are students from the Bywood area who attend Aronimink. Those students reside in the Bywood area, and they will attend Beverly Hills Middle School. Students who participate in a special education program(s) for Life Skills Support, Emotional Support, or Autistic Support may attend Drexel Hill Middle School or Beverly Hills Middle School.
The District updated school boundaries over the past several years. You can find this information in Board Policy 206: Assignment Within District. You can also refer to the policy attachment which provides a list of addresses school boundaries or enter your address using the Transportation Eligibility Lookup Tool linked below.
6. Which elementary schools will feed into Drexel Hill Middle School?
Drexel Hill Middle School will serve students from Highland Park Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, and the remaining portion of Aronimink Elementary. Students who participate in a special education program(s) for Life Skills Support, Emotional Support, or Autistic Support may attend Drexel Hill Middle School or Beverly Hills Middle School.
You can find this information in Board Policy 206: Assignment Within District. You can also refer to the policy attachment which provides a list of addresses school boundaries or enter your address using the Transportation Eligibility Lookup Tool linked below.
7. How are school assignments determined?
School assignments are based on a student's residential address and the attendance boundaries approved by the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors.
You can review the updated school boundaries by referring to Board Policy 206: Assignment Within District. You can also refer to the policy attachment which provides a list of addresses school boundaries or enter your address using the Transportation Eligibility Lookup Tool linked below.
Transportation
8. How is transportation eligibility determined?
Transportation eligibility is determined by district transportation guidelines and distance calculations established for the 2026–2027 school year. Families may use the Transportation Eligibility Lookup Tool available on the district website. Visit our website for more information.
9. When will transportation route information be available?
The Transportation Department held a public meeting on updated transportation information on September 23, 2025. The Transportation Department also provided updates and notifications to families prior to the end of the 2025-2026 school year. This information was also provided via email and U.S. Postal on May 7th, 2026. Transportation route information for eligible students will be distributed for the 2026-2027 school year again on August 17. If you have questions about eligibility or routes, please contact the Transportation Office directly.
Scheduling and Courses
Student schedules will be available through the Home Access Center (HAC) when it opens on August 27.
Yes, as they do every year. The elective assignment is based on students' needs, staff availability, and student interest.
School Day and Bell Schedule
12. What are the school hours for Clifton Heights Middle School?
The school hours for Clifton Heights Middle School are 8:00 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
13. What are the school hours for Beverly Hills Middle School?
The school hours for Beverly Hills Middle School are 8:00 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
14. What are the school hours for Drexel Hill Middle School?
The school hours for Drexel Hill Middle School are 8:30 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
Athletics
15. What athletic opportunities will there be at Clifton Heights Middle School?
All three middle schools are expected to offer sports opportunities for both seventh and eighth graders. In some cases, programs may be combined depending on student interest. In the fall, winter, and spring, students will have access to a range of team opportunities, though some will be school-based, some will combine grade levels, and a few will operate as district teams.
Students will not have access to the athletics fields in the first school year, but will in the second year of operation.
Yes, transportation will be provided to Clifton Heights Middle students for athletic practices and games.
Clubs and Activities
Outside the school day, clubs may vary depending on both student interest and staff availability. A club may only run if there is a staff sponsor and adequate student interest to support it.
The same music programs will be offered at Clifton Heights Middle School as they are at the other two middle schools.
Yes, the musical for Clifton Heights Middle School has been added to the district calendar.
Yes, clubs run depending on both student interest and staff availability.
Orientation and Transition Support
Yes. If Clifton Heights Middle School opens as scheduled, the district plans to offer an orientation and social opportunity before the start of the school year. We will adjust the offering if we do not open in August.
Middle school orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The district will adjust transition activities and communicate any updates to families as information becomes available.
Communication Timeline
24. When will families receive back-to-school information?
Key summer communications include:
August 7: Superintendent's Summer eLetter
August 17: Principal Back-to-School eLetters, including supplies lists, schedules, and important information
August 17: Transportation information distributed to eligible students
August 27: HAC account information emailed to families
August 27: HAC opens for schedules, transportation information, registration verification, and contact updates
August 31: First day of school
The district will continue to provide updates through email communications, the website, and social media.
Additional Questions
26. Where can I find additional information about the middle school transition?
Families may review the following information and resources:
- District reconfiguration information
- Previous transition FAQ
- BHMS Transition Presentation
- CHMS/DHMS Transition Presentation
- Policy 206: Assignment Within District
- UDSD Middle School Transition Parent Information Meeting June 23, 2026
27. Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Families should contact their child's Principal for assistance regarding transportation, scheduling, enrollment, or other transition-related questions.
Middle School Transition FAQs
June 2026