Stayton's class with Thunder

At Aspen Ridge, creating class lists is a thoughtful, collaborative process. After spending a full year with their students, our teachers—who know them well both academically and socially—work closely with our counselors, interventionists, special education staff, and Principal Miller to build balanced class groups for the upcoming school year. These groupings take into account a variety of important factors, including learning levels, behavioral needs, social dynamics, student support services, gender, and more.

The goal is to create three well-balanced learning communities at each grade level—groups that support meaningful relationships, academic growth, and a successful start to the new year for both students and teachers. Once those groups are carefully formed, they are then assigned to a teacher.

Because of this intentional approach—and in fairness to all students—we’re not able to accept requests for specific teachers. Changing class placements based on individual preferences can disrupt the balance and classroom dynamics that were so thoughtfully created with all students in mind.

That said, we always value parent insight. If you have thoughts about the type of classroom environment your child thrives in, specific supports they may need, or any unique considerations you'd like us to be aware of, we welcome your input. Please feel free to reach out to our administrative team to share that information.

We’re proud to have a passionate and skilled team of educators, each bringing unique strengths and teaching styles to our school. We also believe it's healthy for students to learn from a variety of teachers over time—just as they will work with a wide range of people in the real world. Starting in third grade, students begin rotating to different teachers for specific subjects, and by middle school, they experience a full schedule with multiple instructors throughout the day.

Thank you for trusting this process and for your continued partnership. We’re grateful to work together in supporting your child’s growth and success at Aspen Ridge!