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The school has failed to meet academic standards for the past five years, and faces trouble with the Texas Education Agency.

Monday night, the board approved a plan should the school pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test. Preliminary results indicate that Pearce will be rated Academically Acceptable in 2010.

The redesign plan would transform the school into an early college preparatory school.

"We'd have seventh and eighth graders there. The sixth graders would stay at their home campus as the school underwent redesign, rolling in on the 11-12 school year with the new program," AISD Board President Mark Williams said. "Then the school would have the full complement of sixth, seventh and eighth grade in 11 and 12."

On the other hand, if the school is unable to meet state academically acceptable standards for the fifth consecutive year, AISD will issue the Pearce Repurposing Plan for 2011-2012, and, from there on out, the Texas Education Agency will call the shots.

AISD's repurposing plan includes state-mandated changes and the reorganization of teachers and staff.

No matter what happens after the TEA announces final test score results on July 30, the district is sold on better preparing kids for college.

"When you expose students to a more rigorous curriculum and provide them with the support that is necessary to be successful in that curriculum, then that should impact academic achievement," Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools Bergeron Harris said.

If the TEA ends up shutting down Pearce, the 254 rising seventh and eighth graders would be assigned to Webb Middle School. Webb has also had its share of hard knocks and was threatened with closure in the past.

"Webb Middle School has made performance standards for both the state and federal for several years. So, Webb is on an upward trajectory," Chief Schools Officer Paul Cruz said.

The plan would still involve making room for more kids in an already-crowded school. School officials, however, are confident enough room exists.

The contingency plan would require the district to spend more than $600,000 for portable buildings, support and additional teachers.

Under the plan, the 146 sixth grade students would remain at their home elementary schools for sixth grade.

Preliminary data also shows that Reagan High School will rate Academically Acceptable for 2010. At a meeting on April 26, trustees voted to begin college prep courses at the school during the 2010-2011 school year.