When teachers know how to teach a block period it’s great - deeper learning, etc. When they don’t it’s a slog of sitting still and listening to lecture with no breaks.

My high school switched to blocks my sophomore year. There was a learning curve but it ended up being a much better schedule. We had more time to get work done during class which meant less homework. Also had more time to deep discussion and to ask questions during class. It felt much more relaxed than they typical schedule.

We know someone with a block schedule this year that is very unbalanced ... one day is all acadmics, the next day almost all electives (just one academic class). This family also said the lack of transitions is hard for their ADHD kid, who has trouble sitting for 90 minutes. I'm glad our school is on a traditional schedule.

Our MS had block scheduling with a rotating schedule, while our HS has a regular 8 period day. My kid likes the 8 periods better but would like the rotating schedule aspect back (Which could be done generally, but isn’t at DC’s school). I know other kids who prefer the blocks. I would say its personality/how you like to study or work dependent for preference.

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who have block scheduling, do you/your kids like it? Do you sense staff likes it?

My kids like it because it makes completing homework manageable and studying for tests/quizzes. Also, for math and science classes, there is more time to learn concepts in class. However, some classes drag because of the long periods but some teachers allow students to work on other class work.

For those of you who have block scheduling, do you/your kids like it? Do you sense staff likes it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're part of Kennedy High School and they do block scheduling for two days of the week. It's not very popular with students or teachers. So I'd be wary of implementing it at your school. Kids hate the long periods and teachers struggle to fill the time. We see more absences and skipping on block days than non-block days.

That seems....chaotic. Why did they do a mix instead of picking one or the other?

I have no idea. But I agree with you that the hybrid seems worse than just going all in with block scheduling or not doing it at all.

Anonymous wrote:We're part of Kennedy High School and they do block scheduling for two days of the week. It's not very popular with students or teachers. So I'd be wary of implementing it at your school. Kids hate the long periods and teachers struggle to fill the time. We see more absences and skipping on block days than non-block days.

That seems....chaotic. Why did they do a mix instead of picking one or the other?

SSIMS has block scheduling.

TPMS and Blair both have block scheduling

Our oldest had block scheduling at Loiederman MS - loved it and was sad to transition to seven classes a day in HS.

We're part of Kennedy High School and they do block scheduling for two days of the week. It's not very popular with students or teachers. So I'd be wary of implementing it at your school. Kids hate the long periods and teachers struggle to fill the time. We see more absences and skipping on block days than non-block days.

I understand some MCPS middle/high schools use block scheduling. If your school does, will you comment here? I'm interested in how schools make decisions about whether it will work for the student/teacher population. I would love it if our middle moved to block scheduling, but I'm lost on how that transition might work and who makes the decisions. Thanks!