Changes
in graduation requirements and curriculum with a higher emphasis in
academics, (e.g., all high school graduates will be required to pass
Algebra I.), present new challenges for all high schools. In order
to meet these challenges, high schools are using the 4x4 semester
plan. In the 4x4 semester plan, the school day is divided into four
instructional blocks approximately 90 minutes each (as opposed to
six periods of 50 minutes each) and the school year is divided into
two semesters or terms.
During
the first term, students are enrolled in four courses which meet
daily. At the end of the fall term, students receive one credit for
each course successfully completed and enroll in four additional
courses for the second term. In this scheduling arrangement, it is
possible to earn thirty-two credits in four years without attending
summer school.
In
addition to the possibility of earning more credits, the goals of
block scheduling:
-
allow students more time to learn without lowering standards and
enable students to repeat failed courses in time to graduate
with their peers;
-
provide longer class periods so that teachers have more time to
use a variety of techniques which encourage student involvement;
-
reduce the number of class changes during the school day;
-
reduce the number of students per teacher each semester;
-
reduce the number of teacher preparations;
-
and
reduce the number of classes per student each semester.
Block
scheduling has the following advantages for students:
-
it
allows students to earn eight credits each year;
-
students concentrate on only four classes at one time;
-
and
it allows students to repeat failed classes without attending
summer school.
Note: When scheduling for the next academic term, students
should select course combinations in which there is a balance
between "high-homework" classes and "low-homework" classes each
semester.
Freshman, sophomores, and juniors must take four courses each term.
Seniors may have the option of taking three courses per term. In
addition, the sequence of math and foreign language courses must
remain consistent.
Foreign
language students will have the opportunity to take several levels
of one language as well as to take multiple languages. The sequence
of foreign language study will continue to be Level I, II, III, IV,
V, and AP (Advanced Placement). Level V will serve as a pre-AP
course. Students are encouraged to follow the entire sequence of
foreign language study.
See
Student Handbook for detailed information.
