In the middle of the school year last year, the county administrators announced that the following school year would bring a major change to both Weir High and Oak Glen: a new schedule.
Many students did not mind the old setup, where they had the same classes every day until the semester switched halfway through the year. The new A/B schedule, however, alternates classes every other day, giving students a different routine.
Jacob Sharrow, a student at Weir High, gave his thoughts on the change: “I have mixed opinions on it. I liked the old schedule because I had the same classes every day, so it was easier to work on big things. But I also like the A/B schedule because I get a break from some classes, and I have more time for homework.”
Other students, however, expressed stronger feelings. “It’s so confusing and I feel so much more stressed out,” said Faith Smith.
Adrienne Clausell agreed, saying, “I like the old one better because I only had to focus on those four classes instead of having eight to worry about.”
According to a recent WSM survey, 76% of students said they prefer the previous block schedule, while only 24% favored the A/B schedule. This shows that many students felt the old structure was more consistent and easier to manage. Whereas the new system has led to confusion, disrupted routines, and a heavier workload spread across more subjects.
Although most students prefer the old schedule, the small number of people who prefer the A/B schedule are mostly seniors.
“It’s awesome, I don’t even have to go to school on B days,” said senior Ben Bryan.
Brooklyn Hawthrone had the same answer, saying,” I love the A/B schedule just because most weeks I come to school twice a week for four hours.”
From a teacher’s standpoint the new schedule can be quite different. It allows some teachers to go more in depth with instruction, enhance lesson planning, and improve classroom discussions. On the other hand, it can also become more confusing and stressful. Having different classes every day can make grading and making lesson planning more difficult.
“I prefer the old schedule over the new A/B schedule, while the A/B schedule is still new, and we need to allow for an adjustment period,” said history teacher Steven Kettler. “Personally, I feel like the A/B schedule has made our job harder… I feel like I can’t get ahead and I’m constantly trying to catch up.”
“This is one of the hardest years I’ve ever had,” said English teacher Betty Smith-Montgomery. “This schedule is so confusing; I never know where I am.”
While both students and teachers have voiced concerns, the reason behind the schedule change wasn’t without thought. Superintendent Dan Enich explained that the decision was largely driven by academic concerns. The old schedule made it possible for students to go a full year or even more without taking key subjects like reading, language, or math.
“The biggest key factor to the schedule change was there was a chance you were going to miss reading, language, and math for an entire year and possibly a year and a half. That’s what your assets are based on in regard to the SAT,” said Enich. He also noted that the goal was to keep the new structure as similar as possible to the old one. View the full interview with Enich below.
As both students and teachers struggle to adapt, only time will tell whether this new approach will achieve the intended benefits or if further adjustments will be needed to meet everyone’s needs.
