Valley Heights USD #498

BIG CHANGE FOR A BIG SCHOOL YEAR. According to Sage Publications, 72% of high schools across the United States turned to block scheduling for the 2020-2021 school year. This year, Valley Heights high school decided to implement a block schedule. Principal Chad Kenworthy said, “We decided to use block scheduling this school year, because last spring when we had to move to remote learning, we used a block schedule and it was very effective in terms of online teaching. It was the most efficient way to continue school in person with all the COVID protocol.” Block scheduling is still an eight-hour day, but instead of 8 classes every day, students only have 4 classes. Each class period is 90 minutes rather than just 55 minutes. Students have a different set of classes each day indicated by a color, purple, white or grey. “I prefer the block schedule because it allows me to focus on each individual class more. I also have more time in class to work on homework or projects,” says Sophomore, Caden Parker. From a teacher’s perspective Mr. Broxterman says, “I prefer the block schedule because it allows me time to completely cover all aspects of material each day.  Sometimes the ninety minute class periods might seem long, but I would rather be able to cover all material in class than have a lesson be broken up into multiple shorter class periods.” Block scheduling is one of many changes that students and teachers have had to adapt to this school year, but that has not suspended the success that Valley Heights students strive for in the classroom.