West Valley Middle School students jumped off yellow buses with big backpacks, wide eyes and nerves for the first day of school on Tuesday morning.
“There’s always a level of excitement: Fresh faces, the high energy (and) the possibilities,” said Principal Nick Clark. “This is probably my favorite day of the year.”
The West Valley students in Yakima are among thousands of kids heading back to class this week. The Yakima School District kicked off its first day of school Wednesday with an early-morning breakfast for district bus drivers. Superintendent Trevor Greene rode one of the school buses to welcome students on their first day.
WVMS educates more than 1,200 students across the middle school and the junior high school. Sixth graders spend the school day at the middle school, eighth graders are housed in the junior high school and seventh graders take classes in both buildings.
Transition for sixth graders
The transition from elementary school to middle school can be challenging for the 430 incoming West Valley sixth-graders. They now have multiple teachers, more expectations and responsibilities and complex classes.
“I did see a boy this morning, a sixth-grader coming in for the first time; he was frozen,” said Kris Dennison, Washington state government teacher. “Normally, they’re a little apprehensive at first, then their personalities filter.”
Sixth-graders Lewis See, Kahani Phillips and Declan McCully said they’re more excited than nervous.
It feels weird being out of elementary school, Phillips said.
“Me and Lewis came from a really small school,” he continued. “This is massive.”
School doors opened at 7:15 a.m., and classes started at 7:55 a.m., but the three sixth-graders were full of energy and banter.
Phillips said he was most excited about meeting new people, even though it might be awkward at first. McCully agreed, interjecting that it will be an opportunity to know more people.
“Each class you’re going to get to know new people,” McCully said.
See said he’s most excited about walking to different classes instead of being in one room the whole day.
Phillips, McCully and See showed interest in trying out for West Valley’s sports teams, including basketball, football, baseball and soccer. Since they’re in sixth grade, they’d have to wait until next year when they’re eligible.
“Seventh graders come in feeling pretty confident,” said Tiffany Williams, a leadership and electives teacher. “Sixth graders, they’re endearing because (they’re) a little wide-eyed.”
Seventh-grade growth
Incoming seventh grader Kensie Mochel said she was nervous, but feels good to be back.
“I feel like I was feeling more confident in sixth grade,” Mochel said.
Mochel described herself as a “wild child” in sixth grade, but she has calmed down since then.
“In sixth grade, you’re going through puberty, tired, cranky (and) all over the place,” she said.
Seventh-grade growth
Incoming seventh grader Kensie Mochel said she was nervous, but feels good to be back.
“I feel like I was feeling more confident in sixth grade,” Mochel said.
Mochel described herself as a “wild child” in sixth grade, but she has calmed down since then.
“In sixth grade, you’re going through puberty, tired, cranky (and) all over the place,” she said.
Mochel’s favorite place in school is the library, because it’s an environment where she can calm down and be with her friends.
She’s excited to show everyone how she’s grown and matured.
Excited to be back
Lindsy King is in her fifth year at WVMS, teaching sixth and seventh-grade math, and is excited to be back.
She described preparing her classroom for the new year as a mix of emotions.
“It’s hard because you take down the memories made with the students you had before,” King said. “But it’s exciting because you get to watch your classroom grow with your new kids.”
King said she’s excited to get to meet her students. Her favorite moments are watching students find their confidence, drive and determination.
“Watching kids realize that they’re actually as smart as everyone around them believes they are is huge,” she said.
Tiffany Williams is in her 26th year at WVMS, but still gets excited on the first day of school. She’s a leadership teacher who also teaches elective classes.
“There’s always this first-of-the-year energy,” she said. “You feel a little overwhelmed, but you also feel that excitement for the new students you’re going to meet.”
Teachers spend a lot of time before the first day of school making sure they’re on the same page and focusing on students feeling like they belong and are safe, Williams said. The first week is about building community, especially with sixth graders.
“I think by the end of the week, those kids are going to be just fine,” Williams said. “(Student adjustment) happens faster than parents realize.”
Student struggles
While some students may get comfortable within the week, change becomes much more apparent within the first month, according to Julio Santana, student and community advocate at WVMS. Santana sees students who are guarded and don’t trust many adults.
“They might not even have a trusted adult at home,” he said.
Santana works for Communities In Schools of Central Washington. The organization establishes site coordinators in schools throughout Yakima County to assess student needs, make plans and coordinate interventions.
“We see students with anxiety that don’t want to be in school, coming in as sixth graders,” Santana said. “It manifests itself in physical ailments, like stomach aches.”
The organization’s main focus is to find barriers kids are facing and remedy those situations. Barriers can include housing in stability, clothing and transportation. Santana’s office has hygiene kits, backpacks, clothing and more.
It also works with food banks and nonprofits to provide resources for students.
“We have a couple of students we’ve seen come in here that would not engage with many adults,” Santana said. “And now they have these bubbly personas. They’re vibrant, smiling (and) talking to everybody.”
Students have come to Santana and his co-workers to confide in them about situations they wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about with other staff.
Once they’re able to break down the student’s walls, they’re able to get to the heart of the problem, Santana said.
“You can see the impact on students,” he continued. “Seeing that mindset change from being hopeless to hopeful; that’s the beauty in all this.”
Edith Gonzalez, another Communities in Schools of Central Washington staffer, and Santana recommended that parents empower their children and build their confidence to help them transition more easily into middle school.
“The confidence to be able to advocate for themselves or look for someone that can advocate for them,” Santana said.
This story originally was written by Yakima Herald-Republic in August 2025.