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Block Scheduling

Beginning with the 2021-22 school year Cedar Hill High School, Collegiate High School and the new CHISD STEM Center will operate on a block schedule.  With the opening of the new STEM Center, the change is needed to ensure there is enough time to transport scholars for STEM Center activities and classes while ensuring lessons and instruction are not affected.

What is A/B Block Scheduling

In a block schedule, scholars take 8 courses at a time, with classes alternating on an A/B schedule. Class periods will increase from 50 minutes to 100 minutes long, with four classes on “A Day” and four classes on “B Day”. Block scheduling is a type of academic schedule that allows scholars to take  fewer classes per day but the classes meet for longer periods of time.  

 

Period

Starts

Ends

Length 

Notes

A Day

1

7:25

9:05

100 mins

 

2

9:10

10:50

100 mins

Lunch 1

10:50

11:20

30 mins

Class : 11:25 - 1:10

Lunch 2

11:26

11:56

30 mins

Class 11:31 - 12:01
Class 12:01 - 1:10

Lunch 3

12:02

12:32

30 mins

Class 10:55 - 12:02
Class 12:38 - 1:10

Lunch 4

12:38

1:10

30 mins

Class 10:55 - 12:32

3

10:55

1:10

135 mins

 

4

1:15

2:55

100 mins

B Day

5

7:25

9:05

100 mins

6

9:10

10:50

100 mins

Lunch 1

10:50

11:20

30 mins

Class : 11:25 - 1:10

Lunch 2

11:26

11:56

30 mins

Class 11:31 - 12:01
Class 12:01 - 1:10

Lunch 3

12:02

12:32

30 mins

Class 10:55 - 12:02
Class 12:38 - 1:10

Lunch 4

12:38

1:10

30 mins

Class 10:55 - 12:32

7

10:55

1:10

135 mins

 

8

1:15

2:55

100 mins


Double Block Schedule at CHISD STEM Center

At the CHISD STEM Center, Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Science classes are double blocked. This means those classes will meet every day (A/B day) and last for 185 minutes. The STEM Center Daily schedule is below:

STEM Center Daily Schedule

 

Period

Starts

Ends

Length

A Day

Session 1

7:55

11:00

185 min

Session 2

12:20

3:25

185 min

B Day

Session 1

7:55

11:00

185 min

Session 2

12:20

3:25

185 min

*Requires midday shuttle only.  STEM Center classes will be double blocked.

*STEM Center teacher conference (45 min.) and lunch will take place between Session 1 and Session 2; includes an additional 5 minutes to greet scholars.

At the STEM Center, teachers will have a 45 minute conference period and lunch will take place between Session 1 and Session 2. A shuttle bus will transport scholars from CHHS to the STEM Center daily to participate in classes for the two new career pathways.

Block Scheduling Benefits for Scholars

  • The schedule means scholars can focus on just four subjects each day and with four classes per day, it can translate into less daily homework. 
  • The shift to a block schedule also aligns to the schedule many higher education institutions use, which allows our scholars to become acclimated to the schedule well before graduating.
  • With the opportunity to earn eight credits each year, there is more room in a scholar’s schedule to take advantage of electives, CTE courses, dual credit classes and other experiences.

Block Scheduling Benefits for Teachers

  • For teachers, a block schedule means they see fewer scholars over the course of the day which allows them the time to build closer bonds and get to know each scholar’s individual learning needs more deeply.
  • Block scheduling means that teachers can take advantage of smaller group lessons more frequently. With smaller groups, collaborative learning can take place more easily.
  • When there are fewer classes per day and semester, teachers have longer planning periods to develop their lessons.