The Semester System

As we continue to build Darlington’s academic program PK-12, we have made the decision to move to a semester-based schedule in 2010-11. This is becoming the norm at college-prep schools across the nation, but that’s not the reason we are making the change. A great deal of research and many thoughtful discussions have made it clear that this truly is the best decision for Darlington, and I am confident that a semester system will best prepare our students for the experiences they will have in college.

 

This change will not affect the starting and ending dates for the school year or any of our major holiday breaks. Instead, it will allow our faculty to gain additional instruction and professional development days. This will give them more time to focus on using technology for inquiry-based learning projects, collaborate between departments, and create vertical subject-based teams to ensure fluidity, rigor and sensible transition between divisions. A semester system will also mean two exam weeks for Upper and Middle School students rather than three, with fall exams taking place the last week before Christmas break.

 

There are still details to work out within our academic departments regarding the daily schedule, grading periods, and the amount of material to be covered per semester. But I can assure you that Academic Dean David Powell and his dedicated committee of faculty members, who represent each of our three divisions, are working very hard on this. I will keep you apprised of their work. If you have any questions about this change, please contact me or David. We thank you, as always, for your support.