Understanding the Block Schedule
Block Schedule 101
On the 4x4 block schedule the school year is divided into two terms; First Term is from the middle of
August to the middle of December. Second Term is from the beginning of January to the end of May.
Classes taken during First Term are completed in December and students begin four new courses for
Second Term in January. Students complete 8 classes each school year.
classes are longer than those in a traditional schedule, students complete the entire two-semester course in
one term. Students who take a full day of classes during all four years of high school will take a total of 32 classes
compared to a total of 24 in a traditional sixth period day schedule. This permits students to study
particular subject areas in depth without giving up elective course choices beyond high school and college
entrance requirements. It also permits students the opportunity to repeat failed courses during the school
year instead of attending summer school. Student Benefits:
- Over the course of four years students have the opportunity to take 32 classes instead of the 24 on a traditional schedule.
- Fewer courses each day decreases student stress.
- Fewer classes to prepare for in 24-hour period.
- Classes are longer allowing for more individualized instruction and varied instructional strategies.
- Less fragmentation of instruction with more quality assignments.
- Reduction in the number of books and materials for students to manage in a 24-hour period.
- Longer instructional blocks allow exposure to a variety of teaching strategies.
- Improved attendance and reduction of tardies and truancies.
- The need for summer school is virtually eliminated.
See example of course selection on block schedule here.