Currently Hoover High School’s bell schedule consists of four periods a semester with each class being roughly one hour and thirty minutes long. Next school year however, this will change and Hoover will revert back to a six period class schedule.
After previously adopting the four-period schedule, the administration believes going back to a six-period one will be more beneficial for the students. Although a longer class period was meant to help students engage more in each subject and have more time for better understanding, it resulted in students feeling overwhelmed and feeling that each class was too long. As students’ attention spans have gotten shorter, the longer a class goes on it is likely the less they are focused and gaining anything from the extended time. Shorter classes are better suited for students’ attention spans and allow them to be more engaged and focused for the entire class period.
A six-period class schedule will also allow students to take more classes each semester and school year. They will not be limited to only four classes and can take two additional electives or required subjects. It would give students additional periods in the year to make sure they take all their core A-G subjects and give them more space so they can take classes more in tune with their interests. They can take more music or art classes, try out new things, and discover new passions. A schedule with more classes would give students more variety in their day and make the school day more interesting.
“The benefits of a six-period day mean students get to take more classes,” explained Associate Principal, Ms. Cherese Wiltshire. “They will also be smarter in more subjects, and it’s better for students with short attention spans.”
This switch from a four-class schedule to one with six shorter classes is being made next year for the benefit of all students. While the switch might take some time to get used to, it will ultimately help students be more engaged and gain a lot more from the school day.
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