Transportation Update: Spanish Immersion at Plymouth and Sandburg Middle Schools (2026-27)

Dear Plymouth Middle School Spanish Immersion families,

Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale) is sharing an important transportation update for families whose students attend the Spanish Immersion program at Plymouth Middle School (PMS).

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the district will end dedicated Spanish Immersion magnet transportation to PMS. This change is part of the district’s Statutory Operating Debt (SOD) plan.

We recognize that this is difficult news and that transportation changes affect students, families, and daily routines. Out of respect for our families, we want to share this information well in advance, so you have time to plan and make informed school choice decisions.

Why the district is making this change

As Rdale stabilizes financially through the district’s SOD plan, we are also redesigning learning structures to ensure students across the district experience consistent, high-quality opportunities.

Beginning next year, the district will operate two middle schools, following the discontinuation of FAIR School Crystal magnet programming and the closure of Robbinsdale Middle School at the end of this school year. This transition allows the district to strengthen programming and create greater consistency across the two remaining middle schools—PMS and Sandburg Middle School (SMS).

As part of this work, the district will offer Spanish Immersion at both middle schools starting in 2026-27.

Rather than reducing opportunity, this approach is designed to remove access gaps and bring innovative programming to more students across the district. This work also supports strengthened and consistent programming at both middle school sites, including:

• Expanding Stages Theatre programming at both sites
• Integrated curriculum and a hands-on approach to learning, aligned with district instructional priorities
• Leveraging the expertise of FAIR educators and leaders to support program expansion and instructional design
• Ensuring a guaranteed and viable experience for all students

Transportation details: What this means for your family

Transportation eligibility depends on where your family lives. See the new middle school attendance boundaries for the 2026-27 school year on our enrollment page.

Families who live in the PMS attendance boundary

Families whose students attend PMS through Spanish Immersion and who live within the PMS attendance boundary will continue to receive district-provided transportation to PMS, as the school is your neighborhood school.

Families who live in the SMS attendance boundary

Families whose students attend PMS through Spanish Immersion but who live within the SMS attendance boundary will no longer receive district-provided transportation to PMS, beginning in 2026-27.

All students who currently attend PMS are welcome to stay at PMS. However, we know transportation is vital to many families, and in order to receive district-provided transportation, students must attend their boundary school.

Important next step for SMS-boundary families

Families who live within the Sandburg Middle School (SMS) attendance boundary and want district-provided transportation may return to their boundary school (SMS) for 2026-27.

To make this change, families do not need to complete an Enrollment Options Application. Instead, please email enrollment_options@rdale.org and indicate that you would like your student to attend SMS due to transportation needs.

Families who open-enroll into the program from outside the district

Students who attend the Spanish Immersion program through open enrollment from outside the district do not receive district-provided transportation, and this update does not change transportation eligibility for open-enrolled students.

We’re here to support you

We know this change may feel difficult or confusing, and we appreciate your time as you review your family’s options for next year. Additional communication and support will be provided as families plan for the 2026-27 school year.

There will be additional communication in the coming weeks to provide more information and support as families plan for the 2026-27 school year.

For more information about enrollment options, please visit rdale.org/enroll. If you have questions or need assistance reviewing your options, please contact our Enrollment Center at 763-504-8080 or enrollment@rdale.org.

Thank you for your partnership and for being part of Rdale.

Sincerely,

Kristen Hoheisel
Chief Financial Officer
Robbinsdale Area Schools