ROTATING “DROP” SCHEDULE SPARTA HIGH SCHOOL

Alternative Scheduling

“The manner in which a high school organizes itself and the ways in which it uses time create a framework that affects almost everything about teaching and learning in the school.” * “ . . . imaginative flexible scheduling must be the order of the day.” * “High schools . . . develop flexible scheduling that allows for more varied use of time in order to meet the requirements of the . . . curriculum.” * * from Breaking Ranks (NASSP Publication)

SCHEDULE Student Centered: Elective choices increase 8 classes possible; 6 required Meet only 5 or 6 each day Less stress better pacing of time for homework/projects/papers Variety - Rotation different each day Involvement - Clubs may meet during lunch Athletes - Less missed class time for travel Lunch - Time with friends Greater similarity with college-type class schedule

SCHEDULE Learning-Centered: Each class period - increased instructional time Fosters more in-depth study greater focus time on task Variation of teaching strategies Broader spectrum of learning activities Reasonable length of time for class period Science Labs - No longer out of PE Instructional time in each subject - the same just restructured 42 x 20 = 840 56 x 15 = 840

SCHEDULE Learning Environment/School Climate: Enhances quality of life Pace less frenetic, less movement Fewer subjects each day Lunch - Time with friends Lunch Involvement in clubs/activities Academic assistance Music lessons Lunch - Mid-point of school day for everyone

Rotation Schedule Day 4 4 1 2 L 10 7 8 Day 3 3 4 1 L 9 10 7

*Academic Assistance provided on drop day Typical Teacher Day (teaching periods 1, 2, 4, 9, 10) Day 4 4 1 2 L 10 7 8 Day 3 3 4 1 L 9 10 7 Day 2 2 3 4 L 8 9 10 Day 1 1 2 3 L* 7 8 9 *Academic Assistance provided on drop day

Science Teacher Schedule (periods 2, 3, 8, 9 ) Day 4 4 1 2 *L 10 7 8 Day 3 3 4 1 L* 9 10 7 Day 2 2 3 4 L* 8 9 10 Day 1 1 2 3 *L 7 8 9

10th Grade Student Schedule. 1. CP Biology/Lab. 2. Elective 1. 3 10th Grade Student Schedule 1 CP Biology/Lab 2 Elective 1 3 Spanish 3 4 CP English 10 L Lunch 7 CP Geometry 8 Elective 2 9 CP US History 1 10 PE/Driver Ed 10

10th Grade Student AA/Lunch Lab/Lunch Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Period 9 CP US History 1 Period 10 PE/Driver Ed 10 Period 7 CP Geometry Period 8 Elective 2 AA/Lunch Lab/Lunch Period 3 Spanish 3 Period 4 CP English 10 Period 1 CP Biology/Lab Period 2 Elective 1 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4

Bell Schedule Class 1 (HR) 7:20 – 8:20 (60 minutes) Class 2 8:25 – 9:21 (56 minutes) Class 3 9:26 – 10:22 (56 minutes) Lunch A 10:22 – 10:47 (25 minutes) Lunch B 10:47 – 11:12 (25 minutes) Class 4 11:17 – 12:13 (56 minutes) Class 5 12:18 – 1:14 (56 minutes) Class 6 1:19 – 2:15 (56 minutes) Science Lab classes scheduled prior to lunch will meet from 9:26 to 10:47 AM Science Lab classes scheduled immediately after lunch will meet from 10:47 AM to 12:13 PM

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS Extended class time from 42 to 56 minutes Only 6 classes meet per day plus lunch 8 classes may be scheduled Lunch will be 25 minutes/Academic Assistance or Science lab will be 25 minutes Lunch time can be used for activities/academic assistance Cafeteria Mini-College Days Clubs/activities may meet during this time Science labs extend into lunch Athletes do not miss the same period if excused from school Rotation of periods You do not meet the same class the same time every day Change in some teaching methods - extended time may allow for more active learning

Schools Using Schedule District DFG Enrollment Kinnelon. I Schools Using Schedule District DFG Enrollment Kinnelon I 667 Lenape Valley GH 808 Mendham I 1,212 Montville I 1,226 Mt. Olive GH 1,367 Ridgewood I 1,668 River Dell I 978 Warren Hills DE 1,400 Watchung Hills I 2008 West Morris I 1,313

New Jersey High Schools 67 using some form of block/flexible scheduling can be found on: www.njpsa.org

The goal of any effective Master Schedule is to help create a supportive learning environment. The goal is to enhance student learning and to improve student achievement as we present our curriculum.

NJPSA Reports * The following trends for block/flexible scheduling: Improvements in standardized test scores Increased number of students on the honor roll Improved student grades Fewer failures Students doing more in-depth work Improved student attendance Decrease in discipline problems * NJSPA Newsletter, May 2002

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