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Big News for Upper School: Exciting Changes This Year and Next
Mar 7, 2012 3:29 PM
By Max Roach - FF/S
The 2012-13 school year brings some exciting changes to the Upper School, one of which is a new daily schedule. Please note that the registration process, timeline and course availability have also changed.
New School Schedule
The new schedule is the result of years of curriculum study and diligent work by the Schedule Committee. This change reflects our commitment to delivering the best possible educational experience and outcome for your child.
A few of the highlights:
1. A mix of class lengths will facilitate a blend of traditional and project-based learning. This reflects Darlington’s commitment to cultivating 21st-Century skills such as technological fluency, communication, collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking, etc., while maintaining our commitment to traditional college preparation and academic rigor.
2. The once-daily period known as Coach Class will become twice-daily blocks of time called “office hours.” This will increase teachers’ availability for student support. Please note that office hours may also be used by teachers for additional on-site planning and meetings.
3. The new schedule features improved class rotation. This means that fourth period will no longer suffer frequent disruptions from special awards ceremonies and lengthy chapel or assembly programs.
4. The new schedule reflects sensitivity to teenage brain development and cognitive activation cycles.
6. The new schedule’s late start offers additional transition time for parents and students dropping off siblings at the Lower School.
7. Moving chapel, assembly and advisory periods to the end of the day ensures less class interruption for athletic events and team travel.
The new schedule reflects our commitment to creating dynamic, passionate thinkers who are prepared for success in tomorrow’s world. As always, thank you for partnering with us as we prepare for this exciting evolution in Darlington’s program. Please take some time to view the new school schedule by clicking the link at the top right of this blog.
Contracts and Registration Reminder
As you know, the Upper School team has been working toward a more streamlined registration process. Registration for 2012-13 opened much earlier than families are accustomed to – as soon as contracts are received by Darlington. If you have not yet received a contract and do not know why, please contact the Admission Office immediately.
The registration process should be completed online by parents, in collaboration their student, via the “Suggested Course of Study” link, on your parent web page. This link will be activated upon receipt of your contract and deposit for next year. We are already seeing great results from the registration process.
If you have not yet submitted your contract and deposit, I hope this communication imparts our sense of urgency. We strongly urge all parents finalize their student’s schedule request no later than May 1, at which time registration for next year will be closed. After May 1, the master schedule will be created and students are not guaranteed to get into the classes they want. Late registration will open June 1. All late registration and course requests will be subject to availability, so please be sure to get your contract in as soon as possible. For more information, view Registration Timeline Graphic by clicking the link at the top right of this blog.
Questions and Concerns
It is natural to have questions, concerns and challenges during any change, so please know that we will host a series of open houses to address any issues or questions that may arise. As always, thank you for your careful attention and support.
New School Schedule
The new schedule is the result of years of curriculum study and diligent work by the Schedule Committee. This change reflects our commitment to delivering the best possible educational experience and outcome for your child.
A few of the highlights:
1. A mix of class lengths will facilitate a blend of traditional and project-based learning. This reflects Darlington’s commitment to cultivating 21st-Century skills such as technological fluency, communication, collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking, etc., while maintaining our commitment to traditional college preparation and academic rigor.
2. The once-daily period known as Coach Class will become twice-daily blocks of time called “office hours.” This will increase teachers’ availability for student support. Please note that office hours may also be used by teachers for additional on-site planning and meetings.
3. The new schedule features improved class rotation. This means that fourth period will no longer suffer frequent disruptions from special awards ceremonies and lengthy chapel or assembly programs.
4. The new schedule reflects sensitivity to teenage brain development and cognitive activation cycles.
- Upper school students will have more time before they are required to show up for advisor “homeroom.”
- Whole-school meeting times are shifted to after lunch, when the brain is better suited for passive learning. This shift allows late morning, a time which is a period of higher cognitive activation, to be used for classroom time.
6. The new schedule’s late start offers additional transition time for parents and students dropping off siblings at the Lower School.
7. Moving chapel, assembly and advisory periods to the end of the day ensures less class interruption for athletic events and team travel.
The new schedule reflects our commitment to creating dynamic, passionate thinkers who are prepared for success in tomorrow’s world. As always, thank you for partnering with us as we prepare for this exciting evolution in Darlington’s program. Please take some time to view the new school schedule by clicking the link at the top right of this blog.
Contracts and Registration Reminder
As you know, the Upper School team has been working toward a more streamlined registration process. Registration for 2012-13 opened much earlier than families are accustomed to – as soon as contracts are received by Darlington. If you have not yet received a contract and do not know why, please contact the Admission Office immediately.
The registration process should be completed online by parents, in collaboration their student, via the “Suggested Course of Study” link, on your parent web page. This link will be activated upon receipt of your contract and deposit for next year. We are already seeing great results from the registration process.
If you have not yet submitted your contract and deposit, I hope this communication imparts our sense of urgency. We strongly urge all parents finalize their student’s schedule request no later than May 1, at which time registration for next year will be closed. After May 1, the master schedule will be created and students are not guaranteed to get into the classes they want. Late registration will open June 1. All late registration and course requests will be subject to availability, so please be sure to get your contract in as soon as possible. For more information, view Registration Timeline Graphic by clicking the link at the top right of this blog.
Questions and Concerns
It is natural to have questions, concerns and challenges during any change, so please know that we will host a series of open houses to address any issues or questions that may arise. As always, thank you for your careful attention and support.
