Dear Families,
We hope this letter finds you well. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we are excited to share an essential update to our class schedule, shaped by thoughtful feedback from students, families, and faculty.
As part of our continued efforts to provide meaningful, career-connected learning experiences, we are creating four Academies: Trades, STEM, Humanities, and Digital Media. These Academies are designed to offer hands-on, real-world learning opportunities aligned with students’ interests and future goals. Students will demonstrate their understanding through culminating projects or experiences tied to their chosen pathway.
We will transition to a new 8-period, year-long schedule this upcoming school year to support this initiative. This structure enhances academic learning while allowing space for exploration, support, and growth.
Key Schedule Changes:
- 9th & 10th Grade: Students will focus on completing their core academic and elective requirements. There will be teams of teachers working with students in these grade levels.
- 11th & 12th Grade Academies: Students will be placed in their selected Academies, which allow them to pursue a defined pathway with career-aligned courses and hands-on experiences.
- Monday–Thursday: Students will attend eight 45-minute classes each day.
- Fridays: Students will follow a rotating Blue & White schedule, attending four 65-minute classes.
Benefits of the New Schedule:
- More Focused Learning: Given students' feedback, shorter, consistent class periods during core academic instruction throughout the week will support sustained engagement and attention. We have designed courses for 90 minutes for specific classes, such as courses taught from the Career and Technical Education standards.
- Opportunities for Student Growth:
We are actively exploring a range of opportunities to enrich the student experience, including:
- Expanded Tutoring: Increased opportunities for students to sign up for tailored, individualized instruction after school hours.
- Career & Transition Planning: More access to career counselors for individualized post-secondary planning.
- 45-Minute Off-Campus Lunch: An ongoing privilege to foster independence and responsible decision-making.
- Continuity in Learning:
With the periods being 45 minutes long, we’ve designated year-long courses in which students will develop their skills and understanding consistently and progressively. - Improved Teacher-Student Interaction:
Shorter, more frequent class meetings will allow teachers to provide timely feedback, build stronger relationships, and respond to student needs as they arise.
This change in our schedule, combined with the launch of our Academies, will create a more engaging, supportive, and future-focused high school experience. In the coming weeks, we’ll share more detailed information about daily schedules, Friday rotations, and Academy placements. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to ask any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a successful and enriching school year ahead.
Warm regards,
The 9-12 Secondary Program Team