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Middle Schools to Return to Six Periods Next Year
After a unanimous school board vote Feb. 4, 4J middle schools next year will return to a six-period school day to offset the staffing reduction in grades 6-8 to help close a $30 million budget shortfall.
The district had moved to a seven-period day in the fall of 2024 to accommodate a state mandate for physical education classes for all students in grades 6-8. The return to six periods comes for 2026-27, as the district loses 25 full-time equivalent teachers at the middle level. The board also approved more budget cuts during the meeting, including up to 110 school-based staff.
The six-period day offers instructional benefits, including longer class periods — 50 minutes from 43 — that better align with the adopted instructional materials and fewer daily transitions for students. It would continue to offer an advisory or flex period, a short class on non-early-release days that focuses on small group activities to build social-emotional skills as students navigate adolescence and improve student-teacher relationships.
One consideration is the reduction of one period, which may limit elective options. A scheduling committee will be convened to examine ways that students could still enjoy non-core classes during a six-period school day. One possible solution is implementation an elective “wheel” where students rotate through several different short-term, non-core classes over the course of the school year.
In addition, the district is committed to exploring creative and flexible approaches to ensure students with disabilities and English Language Learners continue to receive needed services while also having opportunities to access elective classes. It is examining ways to integrate needed supports within the general classroom through co-teaching or using the advisory period for targeted interventions. Board members expressed support for staff’s efforts to create flexibility in the schedule that could allow students to continue to explore electives while also receiving important pull-out services.
Sample Six-Period and Seven-Period School Days
| Time (mins.) | Six Period Schedule | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0 | Advisory/Flex |
| 50 | 1 | English Language Arts |
| 50 | 2 | Social Studies |
| 50 | 3 | Math |
| 50 | 4 | Science |
| 50 | 5 | PE/Health |
| 50 | 6 | Elective/intervention |
Note: Sample schedules do not include passing times, breaks or lunches.
| Time (mins.) | Seven Period Schedule | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0 | Advisory/Flex |
| 43 | 1 | English Language Arts |
| 43 | 2 | Social Studies |
| 43 | 3 | Math |
| 43 | 4 | Science |
| 43 | 5 | PE/Health |
| 43 | 6 | Elective/Intervention |
| 43 | 7 | Elective 2/Intervention |