On Wednesday, January 21, the Bethlehem Central Board of Education approved an elementary rezoning plan — known as Option 3A — that is designed to balance enrollment and class sizes across the district’s five elementary schools.
The plan will move up to 130 students in the 2026-27 school year from overcrowded elementary schools (Eagle and Glenmont) to under-enrolled Hamagrael and Slingerlands elementary schools. Approximately 15 students are also slated to move from Slingerlands to Elsmere Elementary School, beginning two years later, in 2028-29.
The approved plan will require enrollment zone changes in nine district neighborhoods (NPUs):
NPU 8: From Glenmont to Hamagrael (40 students)
NPU 16: From Glenmont to Hamagrael (35 students)
NPU 40: From Slingerlands to Elsmere (15 students)*
NPU 53 From Eagle to Slingerlands (0 students)
NPU 54 From Eagle to Slingerlands (33 students)
NPU 57: From Eagle to Hamagrael (8 students)
NPU 58: From Eagle to Hamagrael (1 student)
NPU 89: From Eagle to Hamagrael (11 students)
NPU 90: From Eagle to Hamagrael (2 students)
* Students in NPU 40 would move to Elsmere beginning in the 2028-29 school year.
At the meeting, the Board also voted to allow rising fifth-graders from the neighborhoods listed above to remain at their current schools for the 2026–27 school year. This decision gives families of current fourth-graders in the affected zones the option to either move their child to the newly assigned school in 2026–27 or keep them at their current school. This option applies only to rising fifth-graders and affects approximately 21–24 students.
“We understand that this process has been challenging and that change is often difficult,” said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “We have amazing building leaders, teachers and staff who will be working to ease this transition for all students. Activities, resources and support will be available to both students and families beginning this year and continuing into the fall.”
Superintendent Monroe said the district will share details about transition plans in the coming weeks. Families living in the neighborhoods listed above will receive direct notification of their child’s specific transition plan.
“I want to thank members of the Elementary Zones of Attendance Committee for their volunteerism and hard work throughout this process, and the Board of Education for its thoughtful deliberation,” said Superintendent Monroe. “They have ushered in a plan that ensures resources, staffing and opportunities will be allocated equitably across all five elementary schools.”
APPROVED – Option 3-A
This map is best viewed as a PDF. A link to the PDF version of the map can be found below.
View Option 3-A map [PDF]
NPU 8: From Glenmont to Hamagrael (40)
NPU 16: From Glenmont to Hamagrael (35)
NPU 40: From Slingerlands to Elsmere (15)*
NPU 53 From Eagle to Slingerlands (0)
NPU 54 From Eagle to Slingerlands (33)
NPU 57: From Eagle to Hamagrael (8)
NPU 58: From Eagle to Hamagrael (1)
NPU 89: From Eagle to Hamagrael (11)
NPU 90: From Eagle to Hamagrael (2)
* Students in NPU 40 would move to Elsmere beginning in the 2028-29 school year.