For about 130 elementary students, the 2026–2027 school year may look a little different as they transition to new schools some for the first time. These changes come as the district adjusts school boundaries to balance enrollment across its elementary schools. Next year, the Stillwater school district will open two new elementary schools, Bayport Elementary and Lake Elmo Elementary, welcoming students as part of new boundary changes. The new schools are part of the district’s plan to manage growing enrollment and provide more space and resources for students.
Switching schools can be difficult for many students, especially when they are leaving behind familiar teachers, classmates and routines. To help make the transition easier, the district plans to provide several opportunities for students and families to get comfortable with their new schools.
“Come springtime and into the summer, there’ll be tours, and there’ll be welcome activities from their new principal,” Mark Drommerhausen, the Executive Director of Operations.
The upcoming boundary changes and the opening of Lake Elmo and Bayport Elementary are expected to bring both opportunities and challenges for families. While the district focuses on creating a welcoming environment, some families may face added concessions, such as transportation and school activities.
Lake Elmo Elementary principal Katy Pupungatoa said they are “focused on creating a welcoming environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging and support,” while also recognizing that transportation may create added stress for some families.
Students who switched schools often face the challenge of rebuilding their social circles in a completely new environment. Adjusting to unfamiliar friend groups and classmates can make a transition like this especially difficult during the first few weeks of a new school.
Junior Hayden Barbaris, who moved from Marine Elementary to River Grove Elementary after it closed June of 2017 due to the school board changing demographics and needing to reallocate resources. However the building was later purchased by the city of Marine on St. Croix and reopened as a charter school. Barbaris said the “first day” was the hardest part because it meant “trying to meet new friends” and “finding new people,” showing how much a school change may impact a young student.
District officials say the goal of boundary changes is to reduce how often students have to switch schools in the future. By planning ahead, the district hopes to create more stability and balance for students and families over time.
“Hopefully this boundary change would minimize moves in the future, we try to do this as infrequently as we can, and set ourselves up for the future,” Drommerhausen said, this approach aims to give students more stability and help them build lasting relationships at their schools.
However the move to new schools is expected to bring positive changes for students as they are able to meet new people and learn in different environments. School leaders say these changes will help students feel more connect and supported through a change like this.
Pupungatoa said teachers are “prioritizing strong relationship-building from the start,” showing the focus on helping students feel welcomed as they begin at their new schools.
The new boundary changes are meant to help the district manage their growing enrollment, and keep class sizes smaller across the southern elementary schools. While the shift may require adjustments for some families and students. District leaders say the goal is to create a better more stable enrollment for students along with being able to provide better resources for every school.
