Two middle school programs might share a building as early as next year, according to a plan to shift middle schools to house grades six through eight in the Natrona County School District.

The plan suggests that Casper Classical Academy share the Frontier Middle School building with that program.

At the time Frontier opened in 2005, enrollment was expected to reach 600 in the 2006-07 school year. The school fell short of that expectation at 489 students. Since then, enrollment declined, hitting a low of 230 students this year.

Enrollment has increased and created waiting lists at Dean Morgan Junior High School and Casper Classical Academy.

The school board of trustees asked Superintendent Joel Dvorak and his staff members last year to solve current overcrowding and unused space problems, as well as shift students toward elementary schools with grades kindergarten through five, middle schools with grades six through eight and high schools with nine through 12.

Three options were presented before board members and secondary school administrators: switch Frontier and CCA, move CCA into the Frontier building and use the CCA building for ninth-grade overflow, or move CCA into Frontier and set school enrollment limits at the rest of the middle schools.

The two school principals said the two schools have very different cultures and would remain separate even if asked to share one building.

"If that the decision that's made, we'll make it work the best we can," Marie Puryear, CCA principal, said.

The third option still allows both schools to grow. If the two moved tomorrow, there would still be 160 spaces for students, said Mark Marthern, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

By 2016, high school construction would be finished and all schools would be at the "right size" recommended during the Interest Based Agreement Process in 2004. The board approved the recommendation, which caps enrollment for elementary schools at 420 students, middle schools at 700 students and high schools at 1,200 students. The board did not request a plan for how that would happen, said trustee Donn McCall.

In the first year of the plan, school size would be determined, ninth-grade would decrease at Dean Morgan and increase 100 students at Natrona County High School. In 2011-12, sixth grade would only be offered in middle schools, ninth grade would leave CY Junior High School and Kelly Walsh high school would take more ninth-grade students.

Unused district buildings would house high school students while remodeling Kelly Walsh and NCHS and building a new high school building. Midwest Secondary School, Poison Spider School and Woods Learning Center would not be affected.

The plan will not be voted on by the school board.

"We hire our superintendent to run the school district," Steve Degenfelder, board chairman, said. "I'm going to trust in his and his staff's recommendation."

Reach education reporter Jackie Borchardt at (307) 266-0593 or at jackie.borchardt@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/reportcard

2009-10 secondary school enrollment, as of the 10th day of school:

-Casper Classical Academy: 208

-Centennial Junior High School: 705

-CY Junior High School: 582

-Dean Morgan Junior High School: 936

-Frontier Middle School: 230

-Midwest Secondary (grades 6-12): 100

-Poison Spider School: 98

-Kelly Walsh High School: 1438

-Natrona County High School: 1496

-Roosevelt High School: 160