The shift to the “Rotating Drop Modified Block Schedule” at BHS reflects a plan that’s been in development since 2018 and will signify a major change in our school. Beginning in the 2026/2027 school year, our school will replace its traditional 9 period-4 day schedule, with a more flexible, 6 period plus lunch 8 day schedule. Students will have the opportunity to take 8 classes overall, but they’ll only take 6 each day. In the morning students will have 4 classes but only three scheduled per day. For example on Day 1, students will take classes 1, 2, and 3, and the next day they will take classes 4, 1, and 2, dropping a class. This “drop” system is meant to ease the daily workload, so students have fewer classes and less homework to focus on each night.
Another major change is the increase in class time, with periods growing from the current 42 minutes to 55 minute blocks. School administrators believe this is an important step toward improving the overall classroom experience, since longer periods give students more time for in-depth discussions, hands-on activities, and group projects that used to feel rushed. In addition to benefits in learning, the district expects that these extended blocks will help students build stronger time management skills by adjusting to a schedule that will feel more like a college setting.
The “rotating” part of the schedule is designed to create a more balanced and effective school day. By shifting classes to different time slots over the eight day cycle, we will be avoiding the drawbacks of a fixed schedule like having some subjects always land at less productive times of the day. This approach should reduce ongoing issues like consistent tardiness and will help account for changing energy levels, so students aren’t always stuck with the same class at the start or end of the day.
In the middle of this new schedule is the “Lunch and Learn” period, where everyone in the school will have an hour and five minutes free every day. By giving the entire school a common break, it creates time for students to eat, connect with friends, and easily get extra help from teachers. It will also become an important time for clubs to meet during the day, instead of after school, making them more convenient for many students with other responsibilities. In addition, this midday break will give staff a better chance to reach out and support students.
Putting a change this large into place will, of course, come with some challenges. Staff is working to adjust the curriculum so it fits the new schedule while also training teachers to make the most of their longer class periods. Safety and supervision are also top priorities, which is why plans include a lunch pre-order system and a digital tool to monitor student movement and attendance during the more flexible “Lunch and Learn” block.
Obviously this shift will come with some difficulties and questions from everyone, I hope to answer a few of your most common questions. How will science block work? Science blocks will be 110 minutes, only 2 days out of the 8 day schedule. P.E. works similarly with 3 days out of the 8 day schedule. How is it going to affect BOCES? This change will not affect BOCES: there will still be a morning and afternoon session. Can seniors still arrive late and leave early? Yes, seniors are still welcome to come in late or leave early if their schedule allows. Will there be an open campus for seniors? No definite answer has been made for open campus, however discussions are happening about it. (If you have any further questions feel free to send me an email at [email protected] and I will get back to you with the most up to date information I have.)
With this shift, BHS is joining a number of other nearby districts, such as Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Somers, and Pearl River, that have already seen success with similar block schedules. Feedback from these schools suggests that a “drop” system can create a calmer atmosphere, with smoother transitions and less chaos between classes.
Overall, this new schedule will be beneficial for everyone from a long-term standpoint. Although it will be a big change to our day, we will all really benefit from it.
