Flexible HS Schedule
8-Period Flexible Block Schedule enables students to earn 8 credits per year. Most students will take 4 classes per semester, though some students may take as few as 2-3 or as many as 6. Flexible scheduling puts all students first. Flexible schedules provide personalization and equitable opportunities for post-secondary success, whether students plan to attend college, enter the military, or go directly into the workforce after high school.
Schedules can be created to accelerate learning for high achievers and to provide additional academic support for struggling students to keep them on track for high school graduation. Additionally, flexible scheduling enables students and teachers to better manage their workloads. The flexible schedule reduces the number of classes students are taking—and educators are teaching—at any given time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click HERE for a printable version of the FAQ (9 pages)
- What is flexible scheduling?
- What are the characteristics of a flexible schedule?
- Why is Stamford Public Schools implementing a flexible schedule?
- How does the Flexible Schedule differ from the 8-period A/B block schedule?
- What classes will be offered by semester?
- How many classes will students take at once in the flexible schedule?
- How does the flexible schedule benefit students?
- How is a smaller class load better for students?
- Will counselors recommend courses for both fall and spring semesters?
- Does the flexible schedule create gaps in the math sequence for students?
- Is the Flexible Schedule only designed for students who struggle academically?
- How will current high school juniors be assisted in selecting courses for first semester senior year that will be most advantageous for college admissions?
- What if my child dislikes their teacher? Won’t it be stressful for them to be in a classroom with that teacher every day?
- What if a student is out sick for several days? Won’t it be difficult to make up the lost class time in semester-length courses?
- Will students experience greater learning loss with a semester schedule?
- Will the flexible schedule be ready in time for the 2025-26 school year?
- Isn’t it confusing for students to have three different schedules in three years?
- Will the new curricula work in the flexible schedule model?
- Won’t it be stressful to compress courses into one semester?
- How will you identify students who may need to be enrolled in academic support?
- How does a flexible schedule support pathways and continuity across the district?
- How does a flexible schedule contribute to a positive school climate/culture?
- How does the flexible schedule benefit teachers?
- How many classes do high school teachers teach?
- Why is the SEA opposed to the flexible schedule?
- Will class sizes be larger in the flexible schedule?
- Will the new schedule result in a reduction of teacher positions at the high schools?
- Will students be able to take an odd number of AP classes in one year?
- Will students have to complete Advanced Placement courses in one semester?
- Will students have to complete UConn ECE courses in one semester?
- Will students have to complete International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) courses in one semester?
- How will AP sciences work?
- When I was in high school, classes met every day for about 45 minutes. Why isn’t this schedule followed anymore?
- I remember there was opposition to this type of schedule two years ago, why are you implementing it now?
- I heard that Dr. Rhodes wrote a book about school scheduling. Does her book recommend the flexible schedule model?