The Plan
After some research, one block schedule option that could work for the Alexandria Area High School would be switching from their current AB block to a modified 4x4 block schedule. A 4x4 block schedule consists of only four classes each semester, which would equal eight classes in one academic year. Each block is 85 minutes long and there is room in the schedule for an advisory period. Teachers would only teach three 85 minute blocks and students would take altogether only four core and elective classes each semester.
In regards to the AP students and teachers, AP courses would have about 27 weeks of instruction time which would be part of the first and half of the second semesters. Then AP students would take a 9 week long elective class while they continue to review for the AP exams with their AP teachers. This modification in the 4x4 block schedule allows AP students to become more prepared to take the national exam in May, which could provide them with college credit. The Alexandria School Board of District 206 and the AAHS administration would be in charge of implementing the modified 4x4 schedule.
A 4x4 modified block schedule would ultimately allow teachers and students to meet every day, while still allowing students to take eight classes a year and meet the graduation requirements. The cost of the modified block schedule would be consistent with the current one. This new block schedule allows less passing time in between classes, longer classes mean more in depth discussions and more opportunities to do projects, fewer classes mean students can narrow their focus, and fewer students on a daily load allows for stronger relationships between students and teachers.
The benefits of a 4x4 block are: its similarity to a college schedule so high school students can get an idea what it is like to be on a college schedule, students can focus more on their extra curricular activities, and there is less stress with four classes instead of eight.
