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Schools

Hopkins Junior Highs to Launch Revised Class Scheduling for 2011-2012 School Year

Traditional Block A and Block B process to be replaced with quarters.

Hopkins junior high students will get a new schedule for the 2011-2012 school year.

For years, they've had a school year divided in half, much like semesters at the college level. In each semester or term, every student takes four classes in Block A and on alternating days takes four classes in Block B—for a total of eight classes. The second half of the year repeats with eight new courses.

Under the new system, the school year will be divided into quarters instead, and each student will take four credits a quarter. The result at the end of the school year will be the same 16 classes completed as under the current system.

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A special committee was formed a few years ago to look at new ways to better schedule classes and increase and enhance course offerings. It was comprised of administrators, faculty and parents.

"In looking at a variety of schedules, we found that really no specific schedule was better for student achievement than any other," said Diane Schimelpfenig, director of teaching and learning. "The change is more about course offerings and the ability to build staff, student and parent connections."

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The new system will cut the number of students teachers during a term by half. For example, instead of teaching 180 students on the alternating day schedule, teachers will teach 90 students each term.

“The change won't affect course content,“ Schimelpfenig said. “What it will do is increase the capacity for teachers, students and families to build strong relationships.”

The changes will allow increased academics. Starting in seventh-grade, students will be able to take the equivalent of a full year of world language, and the program will be expanded both in terms of courses offered and instructional time throughout the school year.

Students will also be required to complete two financial literacy courses prior to graduation. The new schedule offers science and math courses on alternating terms so students can take advantage of all the science, technology, engineering, and math opportunities.

The biggest change students will see is the number of electives being offered. Classes will range from Hot Topics in Science and Newsmaking in the 21st Century to Creative Writing and Civilization5: A History of Empire. Classes will be available based on enrollment,

"We are very excited about all of the new course options students will have because of this new system,” said West Junior High Principal Shirley Gregoire said.

 

to see a full listing of the new classes. Further information on the new scheduling system is available online at either of the junior high websites

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