ELYRIA — For the first time in three decades, Elyria has a middle school.

Parents attended a “boot camp” Saturday at Eastern Heights, formerly a junior high school, which sixth-graders will attend this year instead of staying in a traditional elementary-school setting.

JASON HAWK / CHRONICLE

Cassidy and Cody Hyde, both 11, of Elyria, will attend Eastern Heights this year as sixth-graders.

Principal Kimberly Benetto said mixing the younger kids with seventh- and eighth-graders is the right move.

“Research has shown sixth-graders are more like seventh-graders than they are like fourth- and fifth-graders,” she said. “They’re at a stage where they’re ready to grow academically and socially.”

She discovered at the boot camp that a lot of kids are nervous about getting lost in the school or forgetting how to use locker combinations.

But Benetto said they are well-prepared to handle the rigors of middle-school life after talking to teachers and exploring the hallways Saturday.

“It’s kinda scary,” especially honors math class, said 12-year-old Todd Williams.

But Todd said he would rather be taking the leap to a more mature school setting than settling for the familiar routine of elementary school.

Daijah Swingler, 11, had a big smile on her face and said she is ready to report for the first day of school Monday.

But she said she’s still a bit apprehensive.

“I’m a little bit nervous. It seems difficult,” Daijah said. “There’s so many switches and stuff with lockers, and I’ve never done any of that.”

Her grandmother, Vanessa Ballentine, said she wasn’t happy about the new grade arrangements until she attended the boot camp.

She said now she believes making the transition into seventh and eighth grades — which are very awkward years for teens — will be much easier.

Eastern Heights housed fifth to ninth grades when it opened in 1952, but it was transformed into a junior high in the 1970s. Elyria hasn’t had a middle school since then.

Benetto said the plan is to eventually make Northwood and Westwood junior high schools follow the Eastern Heights model.

The move is part of Elyria’s restructuring plan, which forced two elementary schools to close. Doing so cut the jobs of 24 teachers and guidance counselors, helping to keep the district solvent through 2010.

Contact Jason Hawk at 329-7148 or jhawk@chroniclet.com.

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