NACS Rebalancing Plan

Posted Date: 11/11/25 (4:00 PM)

NACS Rebalancing Plan

Implementation Year: 2026–2027 School Year

Purpose

Northwest Allen County Schools will open Willow Creek Middle School in Fall 2026. With the addition of the district’s third middle school, attendance boundaries for Carroll Middle School, Maple Creek Middle School, and Willow Creek Middle School must be redrawn.

The goal of this rebalancing is to:

Maintain equitable enrollment and class sizes,
Support high-quality instruction in every building,
Provide long-term sustainability as the district continues to grow.

Schools will not open with identical enrollment totals. This is intentional. Because residential growth is occurring at different rates across the district, one or more schools may open with lower enrollment so they can absorb projected increases in the coming years. This prevents overcrowding and reduces the need for future boundary changes.

There is a slight possibility that minor elementary boundary adjustments could be considered if needed to improve transportation routing or operational efficiency. If that circumstance arises, any proposed adjustment would be small, clearly communicated, and shared with families for feedback before any recommendation is made.

Guiding Principles

Northwest Allen County Schools is committed to a process that reflects:

Balanced enrollment and class sizes
Planning for future growth and capacity
Preservation of feeder patterns when possible
Safe, efficient transportation routes
Meaningful community input and feedback

Rebalancing Timeline

November 10 - Rebalancing plan introduced at School Board Meeting
November 11 - Rebalancing plan shared with families and staff
December 8 - Three or four boundary options presented to School Board
December 9 - Options released publicly; family feedback survey opens
December–January - Community feedback gathered; district data reviewed
January 12 - Final boundary recommendation presented to School Board
January 26 - Staffing recommendations for all three middle schools
Spring/Summer - Family orientation sessions, student welcome events, school tours, and transition supports (including tailored supports for students with IEPs)

Communication Plan

Northwest Allen County Schools will maintain open and consistent communication through:

NACS News, district website, and social media updates
Boundary maps and projected enrollment figures posted publicly
Online family survey for feedback on proposed options
Building-level updates for staff with talking points for principals
Online FAQ addressing common questions and timelines
Dedicated webpage with FAQs, boundary maps, and a timeline of next steps

What Families Can Expect

✔ Clear maps and projected enrollment numbers for each boundary option

✔ Explanation of how growth and capacity shape the proposals

✔ Opportunity to provide feedback before decisions are finalized

✔ Transparency and regular updates throughout the process

Expected Outcomes

Balanced and sustainable enrollment across all three middle schools
Schools intentionally opening at different enrollment levels to accommodate future neighborhood growth
Stable feeder patterns and long-term planning confidence
Efficient transportation routing
A final decision informed by community input

Conclusion

The opening of Willow Creek Middle School is an opportunity to improve balance, capacity, and long-term growth management across the district. NACS will move through this process with clear information, opportunities for feedback, and involvement from families and staff before any recommendation is finalized.

We recognize that boundary changes can be stressful for students and families, and we will offer transition support, orientation opportunities, and school visits to help students feel confident and connected before the new school year begins. We also understand that friendships, social networks, and peer groups are important to students at this age. Students are resilient, and we will work to support them through this transition so they feel welcomed and connected in their new school environment.