What kind of scheduling did your high school have? (Descriptions below)
Traditional Period Scheuling
4x4 Block Scheduling
A/B Block Scheduling
Multiple Periods Block Scheduling
Rotating Block Scheduling
Rotating Drop Schedule
Something else— let us know!
Traditional Period Scheduling- The traditional period schedule is one that many readers may be familiar with. A traditional schedule usually has seven periods of learning scheduled to occur within one school day.
4×4 Block Schedule- Similar to a college schedule using semesters, a 4X4 block schedule allows students to sign up for eight classes. These classes are then divided into two semesters, with four classes at the beginning of the year and the other four at the end of the year. Each class lasts approximately 90 minutes.
A/B Block Schedule- Similar to the 4×4 block model, in the A/B block schedule, students will have one set of three to four classes on Day A and a different set of three to four classes on Day B. There are no semesters, so students will follow the A/B rotations throughout the school year. Similar to the 4×4 block schedule, the A/B classes last approximately 90 minutes.
Multiple Periods Block Schedule- Using a block schedule as a basis, many schools have begun adding in multiple flex periods. Teachers and students benefit from this period of flexibility that is added to each day. So, students may have a 40-minute flex period or two 20-minute flex periods each day. Flex periods may also include a lunch period that can be used as a working lunchtime.
Rotating Block Schedule-A rotating block schedule could be described as an A/B/C rotating schedule. A tricky schedule for implementing, and schools that use this schedule usually have six periods. One period each day may be a flex period. The other periods are classes that rotate on an A/B/C schedule. So, students may have a total of eight classes but only attend five classes each day.
Rotating Drop Schedule- This schedule is probably the most unique of all student schedules. The rotating drop schedule is a combination of the rotating block schedule and the multiple flex periods schedule. Students have eight periods and eight classes; however, each day (based on a rotating schedule) drops two periods. So, for example, on Day A, a student may only report to Periods 1 through 6, dropping Periods 7 and 8. Furthermore, on Day B, the same student may have Periods 1 to 4 and 7 and 8, dropping Periods 5 and 6. A flex period is also factored into this type of schedule.
