Worthington middle school students may see a few changes this year as they begin class this year, with schedules reorganized to emphasize students' choices.

But for former Perry students, the biggest change will be a new location in McCord Middle School.

Most middle schoolers begin class Tuesday, Aug. 24. Here's a look at what's new in Worthington's middle schools.

McCord Middle School

McCord Middle School Principal Michael Kuri will welcome about 507 students this year, as Perry students make the transition to McCord after the district's merger, leaving only Phoenix Middle School students in the Perry building.

It will be a regular school day, with both seventh- and eighth-graders attending, Kuri said.

A number of changes were made in the building to accommodate new students, including one large classroom split into two, the computer lab converted into a classroom, and new lockers.

Kuri said all the middle schools have undergone a "reconstruction" in schedule and course offerings.

"All the middle schools are running a new schedule this year," Kuri said.

Kilbourne Middle School

Principal Pamela VanHorn will welcome around 330 students to Kilbourne Middle School.

She said the new middle school restructuring will emphasize student choice.

"I think the elective choices that students will be able to have are a real plus in the restructure," she said. "Kids need choice, so this schedule gives them some great opportunities to sign up for a variety of classes and activities they might be interested in over the two years of middle school."

She said only seventh-graders will attend on the first day, Aug. 24.

"We'll have beginning and end-of-day assemblies on that day and do 'get to know you' activities with the seventh-graders within the context of their classes," she said. "They'll also have an extended lunch hour, then tour the school and get to know pieces of information from the student handbook."

Worthingway Middle School

Principal Santha Stall will welcome about 380 students to Worthingway Middle School.

Only seventh-graders will attend on the first day, Aug. 24.

Teachers are planning fun, team-building activities for the seventh-graders to help in the transition from elementary school to middle school, said a representative from the school office.

Both seventh- and eighth-graders will attend next Wednesday, Aug. 25.

Phoenix Middle School

Phoenix students, who number around 168, are the lone occupants of the Perry building this year.

The first day is Aug. 24, but it won't be a regular school day; students and parents will attend one-on-one conferences with their advisory teachers, said Principal Jeff Maddox.

"During that conference, they set up academic and wellness goals for the school year," he said.

Aug. 25 will be a regular school day for seventh- and eighth-graders.

Maddox said the first parent coffee will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, during which parents will learn more about the mastery assessment grading at the school and the online grading system.

He said Phoenix will expand now that it has more space, and will create an expansion plan over the course of the school year.

"We hope to roll out that plan this year, to be implemented the following school year," he said.

Maddox said expansion plans eventually could include pre-middle school students opting to attend the alternative school, such as fifth- and sixth-graders.