In addition to the cost for having sixth-grade students remain in elementary schools, social and educational issues are also being considered by Nye County School District officials.

A study released in January done in Philadelphia, Pa., public schools concluded that sixth-graders performed better on standardized tests in elementary rather than middle schools. Philadelphia is following the national trend of moving all sixth-grade classes back to elementary schools.

On the other hand, starting in the 2009-2010 school year, Elko County is moving sixth-grade students into middle school.

What's the right answer for Pahrump schools?

Most of the research information under consideration by Nye County school administrators show students who attend sixth-grade in an elementary school do better over their next two years academically than those who make the transition to middle school.

Studies also say that any kind of transition -- such as moving from one school to another -- has a negative effect on student achievement at all levels.

A Duke University study published in 2007 concluded that sixth-graders in middle schools are twice as likely to have disciplinary infractions as those in elementary schools. The study further said sixth-graders in middle schools had lower reading scores than those in elementary schools.

Most importantly, the Duke study revealed school systems that moved sixth-grade to middle school experienced a 1-3 percent decline in on-time graduation rates.

However, Jerry Hill, assistant superintendent of student achievement has come up with surprising statistics of his own.

"We are now crunching data compiled over the last few years and it appears as though there has not been a decrease in our sixth graders academic results or test scores at Rosemary Clarke," he said.

"That does not follow the national academic trend. To me, that says they are doing a very good job at Rosemary Clarke. However, we're not finished with our research yet, so stay tuned."

Other factors that favor keeping sixth-graders in middle schools are the abundance of extracurricular activities, such as art, computer learning, drama, band and athletics, as well as more innovative programs such as remedial classes.

It is also thought middle schools make sixth-graders more independent.

On the other hand, there are additional factors in favor of moving sixth-grade students back to elementary school

Middle schools have the younger children exposed to older teens, which is seen as a negative influence. Middle schools also tend to be larger and less inviting than elementary schools and, according to Hill, "Current literature indicates that smaller schools are better for students."

Board Vice President Harold Tokerud said he had heard of no other more important issue in the community, and Manse Elementary School Principal Evangeline Visser said sixth-graders are much closer in maturity levels to fifth-graders than to seventh-grade students.

According to Hill, "This issue is going to be clouded by fiscal issues of the state. If it didn't cost a dime, in my personal opinion, I would do it. Although it is not a pressing thing academically in Pahrump, there may be social benefits ... to keeping sixth-graders in elementary school."