Saint Joseph’s Catholic School
New School Day Schedule 2025-2026
2025-2026 School Day Schedule
We are excited to introduce a new school day schedule for the 2025-2026 school year. The new schedule was created in response to extensive feedback from students, parents and faculty from the last two years. It is grounded in research from Independent School Management (ISM) on how students learn best.
● Parents can attend our TEAM (Total Engagement Around the Mission) talk on Wednesday, January 22nd at 6:00 PM or Thursday, January 23rd at 8:00 AM to learn more about it. This talk entitled, “Choosingthe RightAcademicCourseLoad,”coincides with a question and answer session about the new school day schedule.
● Students will attend an assembly about the new schedule on Wednesday, January 22nd.
● We have scheduled professional development for all our teachers. There will be no school on Tuesday, February 18th. This follows our already scheduled day off of Monday, February 17th.
New School Day Highlights
● School begins each day at 8:10 am, with a late start of 9:10 am on Wednesdays. The school day ends at 2:55 pm every day.
● Every high school student has a “free” period in their schedule. Students will have a choice in how this free period is used. They can spend the free period in the new Commons, outdoor patio space, library, chapel, dedicated study space or weight room.
● Students attend the same four classes every other day, and those classes will be on a rotation. All class periods are 75 minutes long. Workload and stress levels will be reduced as students need only prepare for four classes each day.
● Community Time occurs four days a week. This time will support weekly Mass, expanded club program, extended house/household gatherings, and special assemblies.
School Day Schedule Details
Middle School
Block 1 (75 Minutes) Community (60 Minutes)
2 (75 Minutes) Lunch (35 Minutes) Block 3 (75 Minutes) Household (10 Minutes) Block 4 (75 Minutes)
High School Block 1 (75 Minutes) Community (60 Minutes) Block 2 (75 Minutes) Block 3 (75 Minutes) Lunch (35 Minutes) Household (10 Minutes) Block 4 (75 Minutes)
School Day Schedule Details
Wednesday Middle School Faculty Meeting
High School
Block 1 (75 Minutes) Lunch (35 Minutes) Block 2 (75 Minutes)
Block 3 (75 Minutes) Household (10 Minutes) Block 4 (75 Minutes) 7:45 9:10 10:25 11:00 12:15 1:30 1:40 2:55
Faculty Meeting
Block 1 (75 Minutes)
Block 2 (75 Minutes) Lunch (35 Minutes)
Block 3 (75 Minutes) Household (10 Minutes) Block 4 (75 Minutes) 7:45 9:10 10:25 11:40 12:15 1:30 1:40 2:55
FAQs
Is this schedule a semester “block” schedule, like the high schools in Greenville County?
No. This new schedule is not the same as the high schools in Greenville County. GCS uses a semester block schedule where full credit classes complete all material in one semester. In our schedule, full credit classes will continue to meet over the course of the year. A half credit class will still meet for a single semester.
How will teachers use the extended class period? I’m concerned it will be two lessons during one period with double the homework.
Research shows that longer class periods support student learning more effectively when compared to shorter class periods that meet daily. This learning benefit includes students’ ability to retain information longer. Teaching and learning within an extended class period (75 minutes) requires intentional planning and training. To prepare for this change in class length, we have committed to specialized professional development that will help all of our teachers use the 75-minute time periods in ways that are most beneficial to student learning. This professional development will begin in February and continue throughout the spring and into next year.
FAQs
What do you mean by the classes “rotating”?
Students will meet the same 4 classes on a given day (either classes A-D or classes E-H), but the order will change. For example, if a student meets classes A-B-C-D on Monday, they would meet D-A-B-C on the following Wednesday, and C-D-A-B on Friday. The 8-day rotation is shown below.
8 Day Class Rotation
In the event of an inclement weather day, that day’s rotation will be skipped.
FAQs
Can high school students register for eight classes?
No. This bell schedule is specifically designed to help students navigate and manage our academic expectations. Adding an additional course to our expectations adds more stress to our students. The only exception to this policy that will be considered will be for students who must take an eighth class in order to meet graduation requirements.
Will middle school students have eight classes?
In middle school, the eighth class will provide an opportunity for students to elect more enrichment opportunities. We are working to expand those offerings to include courses that provide additional engineering, technology and art classes.
FAQs
How does this bell schedule support students?
There are several ways this schedule supports our students.
● Extended class periods allow for deeper engagement and learning within the period. Additionally, less transition during the school day helps student focus and reduces wasted time.
● Students benefit from preparing for only four classes a day.
● The rotation of classes within the day provides students and teachers with the opportunity to engage with subjects at different times of the day. Research shows that rotating class times improves teacher and student focus and provides variety in the day.
● Daily Community Time provides an opportunity for students to slow the pace of their day and take time to breathe. It also allows students the chance to explore things that interest them, particularly with an expanded club program.
FAQs
What does a “free” period mean? Isn’t that just a study hall?
As we prepare our students for college, we want them to learn how to manage their free time. To that end, students will be able to choose how they use their free period. Options will include using that time to study in the Commons area of our new building, accessing outdoor patio areas, using a dedicated study space, going to the library or chapel, or even working out in the weight room. Seniors will still have the option to arrive late/leave early on days when they have a free period during the first or last block of the day.
How will Community Time be used?
Community Time will be scheduled in a variety of ways, including our weekly all-school Mass. With this regularly scheduled time, we plan to significantly expand our club offerings. In addition to Mass and clubs, Community Time will be used for extended house/household meetings and special assemblies.