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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, March 6, 2020
GBHS contemplates a major transition Administration examines the positive and negative effects of a move away from 4x4 block BY MAREESA ISLAM
up is providing a longer period of time for students to work with content (though not necessarily more instructional time), as well as more After more than two decades on a 4x4 block time for teachers and students to build relationschedule, Granite Bay High teachers and admin- ships,” McGregor said. istrators are at least having conversations about McGregor said that while discussions are hapmaking a change. pening, an actual switch to a new schedule isn’t “Discussions regarding the benefits of various on tap in the near future, if it happens at all. schedules tend to be ongoing,” GBHS assistant “At this time there is not a plan (or) timeline principal Jessup McGregor to implement a change to said. (the current) schedule,” Recently, the possibility of McGregor said. integrating a traditional sixStudent preferences will Each type of schedule period yearly schedule into also play an important role GBHS has gained the attenin terms of the feasibility of brings many benefits as tion of administrators. any particular schedule. well as some drawbacks. “Each type of schedule Junior Eric Antonio acbrings many benefits as knowledged that each course – Jessup McGregor, well as some drawbacks,” schedule has its unique McGregor said, “as … many assistant principal strengths and drawbacks. folks have feelings for and “They both have pros and against each.” cons,” Antonio said. In a traditional six-period schedule, students He said that the six-period schedule would are enrolled in six classes that meet every day perhaps provide students more time to build for the entire school year, with the exception stronger bonds with peers and teachers, the of courses that meet for only a semester such as classes’ workloads could increase. government and economics. “In a six-period (schedule) … you get a closer In this system, students would take 24 courses relationship with your teacher all year,” Antonio in four years of high school vs. 32 in the 4x4 said. “On the other hand, you might have more block schedule. homework.” “One of the primary benefits that often comes Just six classes per year could pose inconve mislam.gazette@gmail.com
Gazette photo /MAREESA ISLAM
A GBHS student’s schedule displays the typical Granite Bay High 4x4 block schedule, which includes four classes per semester and eight per year. An alternative would include six classes. niences to students. For example, such a change could limit students’ ability to take desired courses. “There are several different classes I’ve been wanting to take,” junior Rachel Low said. “Switching to a six-period schedule would limit what I would be able to do.” In addition, Low noted that required high school courses would account for a large portion of a six-class schedule, causing students to sacrifice elective courses for essential academic classes. “In a six-period year, the majority of the classes would need to be academic to meet the school’s requirements, so although you would have less total classes and more time to process material throughout the
year, you would have less opportunity to explore elective courses,” Low said. Austin Hailey, an eighth grader who will be at Granite Bay High next year, prefers the current 4x4 block schedule. “I think (the current GBHS schedule) would be better because you are given a less-busy schedule with more time to work on each subject,” Hailey said. Regardless of the downfalls and benefits of each schedule system, plans of actually implementing a six-period schedule isn’t on the radar. And generally, students seem to be content with their eight classes per school year. “With eight classes per year, it can be overwhelming, but you have the ability to balance your schedule with electives,” Low said, “and you only need to juggle four classes at a time.”
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