Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Summer Smith speaks about CCHS’s transition to block schedule during an ODYSSEY Media Group press conference on Jan. 10. Smith believes the transition to the new schedule was mainly prompted in order to help lessen student workload. “The district is looking at making that change for a couple of reasons, the largest is student load. (Students) take seven classes. A lot of (students) take a gazillion AP classes,” Smith said. “We were starting to see a lot of student health issues, mental health issues, even physical health issues. We don’t have lockers and you guys tow around big ole massive books for seven classes.” Photo by Krista Shumaker
Starting in the 2020-21 school year, Clarke County School District high schools will replace the current seven-period day with a four-period block schedule.
As of the 2020-21 school year, high schools in the Clarke County School District will operate on a four-period block schedule. This change, which was officially announced on Jan. 14 in a CCHS faculty meeting, comes after seven years of the current seven-period schedule.
On the new schedule, students will take four classes per semester, for a total of eight classes a year, as opposed to seven classes year-round. This allows for 90 minute class periods, and for students to obtain an additional credit every year.
According to CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Linda Boza, a four-period block schedule offers a new set of advantages and disadvantages.
“There are some things I really love about it, and there are some things I really don’t love about it. So I’m really on the fence,” Boza said. “I was here when we were on block, and I think that I was probably one of those people who didn’t want to go off of it. I’m comfortable with the schedule now. I’m a person who doesn’t like change, but I’m not a teacher. So I think that my perspective doesn’t really matter.”
Boza says that one of the biggest advantages of a block schedule is the stress reduction for the students.
“You just want what’s best for the teachers and the students. My children who were on block were happier and less stressed,” Boza said. “We have a lot of teachers in our building who’ve never taught on the block schedule, and they may be shocked at the difference.”
CCHS freshman Essie Mitchell feels that the 90 minute class periods that come with a four-period schedule will make her school experience worse.
“I don’t want to be in one class for 90 minutes, especially if I don’t like that teacher or I’m not a fan of that subject,” Mitchell said. “And what if I’m around people I don’t like? I don’t want to be with them for 90 minutes.”
CCHS Associate Principal Reginald Thomas says that block scheduling will give more students the opportunity to retake classes in the spring semester.
“Seven classes all day is rough. Another thing I’m really seeing a lot of it now is that a lot of students, believe it or not, have not done what they needed to do grade-wise and some of them are so far behind, and there’s really no way to make it up. If it’s block schedule, you’re starting over completely fresh in January and you have the opportunity to get more credits,” Thomas said. “If I had (to pick), I’d rather be on block.”
CCHS junior Leonardo Bustinza believes that, regardless of the outcome, the adjustment will be significant.
“It’s going to be very different from this year, so the just change it’s going to be like very hard for me,” Bustinza said. “Now that I have only four classes how will my extracurriculars go, and since I’m apart of JROTC, and how would that work out? (Because) JROTC is usually year-round. So that’s a big question I have.”
