Schedule Change Decision Process
In spring 2018, we concluded a two-year process of studying alternative course schedules and gathering feedback from staff, students and families.
In 2015-16, a committee of school and central office staff researched options. Based on feedback from staff and families, a broader committee did an additional year of study.
During 2017-18, this committee of teachers, parents, and district leaders researched and discussed options and weighed feedback. The committee narrowed the choices to two options, 5-period day/trimester and 6-period day/semester (our current schedule.) Both have pros and cons.
Advantages to the 5-period trimester system include:
- Students have ample opportunity to earn credits toward graduation.
- Students will have many more opportunities to explore a broad range of electives and academic areas outside core requirements.
- This schedule provides second chances for students who need to make up for missing credits.
- More students will graduate on time, and they will complete high school better prepared for college and career.
The five-period schedule creates some challenges for some students in certain programs or course sequences. A trimester transition team is evaluating solutions.