Why Change the Course Schedule?

As a community, we set a bold goal of 19 out of 20 students graduating, at a time when graduating is not getting easier. In fact, new state graduation requirements make it tougher.

 

The trimester system gives our students more opportunity to meet these new requirements and gives all students more electives and course options.

 

The high school course schedule we have today gives students fewer opportunities to explore interests outside core academic requirements, and it leaves them with no second chances if they fail even one class.

 

The trimester schedule is similar to many college schedules. There are fewer weeks in a term, but class periods are longer and students have fewer courses per term.

 

Moving to a trimester system would require changes to teaching in order to cover the required material in shorter terms. Teachers would need to adapt lesson plans and teaching strategies to longer class periods.