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Refresher Course: New Upper School Schedule
Jul 16, 2012 1:54 PM
By Max Roach - FF/S
This blog offers a refresher on the highlights of the new Upper School schedule and provides a link to a downloadable PDF (at right). The schedule can also be found found on the registration page of the school website and in the Upper School Parent and Student Handbook, which has been completely overhauled for ease of use. (The handbook is now available as a PDF and an ePub.)
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.
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.
