The Thomas J. Kenny School will add a 6th grade for the 2020-2021 school year, the school's parent council announced Friday.

Parents and advocates pushed for the expansion to the Oakton Avenue elementary school, which serves students in kindergarten through 5th grade. Its students currently have guaranteed assignment to 6th grade at the Mildred Avenue School

"Last night, Superintendent Laura Perille, and the BuildBPS team met with Principal Bryan, the parent council and members of the Kenny staff," the parent council wrote in a release. "Together, we worked collaboratively, as a community to figure out solutions that do not compromise any of our students. We talked through the logistics and came up with smart solutions to ensure that we meet all the needs of our entire student population, while retaining the art and music programs we all hold dearly."

In the statement, the parent council thanked Perille; principal Emily Bryan; city councillors Annissa Essaibi-George, Michelle Wu, and Frank Baker; state Sen. Nick Collins; state Rep. Dan Hunt; and Erin Murphy, a candidate for city councillor at-large.

"Gaining a 6th grade ensures that our children can stay at their school, with teachers and friends they love," the council wrote. "To say this alleviates a stress on parents and guardians is an understatement. This truly is a game changer!"