JHHS Parents

New Schedule at JHHS Offers Learning Benefits

At midterm, students are giving a thumbs up to the new daily schedule adopted atJackson Hole High School at the beginning of the school year. Implemented to fulfill instructional goals, the new schedule features a compromise between the full block schedule, used for many years at JHHS, and the traditional schedule of the past fiveyears. The new schedule features both extended learning periods of 90 minutes onTuesday and Wednesday, and traditional learning periods of 50 minutes on the otherdays.

“I really like it,” says Sophomore Sawyer Thomas. “It makes the week go by so much faster and we never have homework on those days.”  

This might not seem like a solid endorsement for improved student learning, but Principal Dr. Scott Crisp stands by his claim. He says it’s all about student engagement. “The main issue is not the length of the class but rather the level of student engagement. Students can stay focused for a considerable length of time when the format for
instruction is varied.”

There is also a good argument for students doing work in class that they might view as “homework.” In math classes, students working on problems have the opportunity to get help when they get stuck. At home, some students have parents who can tutor them when the homework gets rough, but others don’t. In English, students get ongoing help with the writing process. Rather than writing something that’s graded up or down, there is more opportunity to check on a student’s progress and suggest revisions.

In history and foreign language classes, there is more time for project work in teams. In science, research and lab experiments are better accommodated. In art, the block schedule is better for teaching the practices of setting up and cleaning the work space and having time to focus on the creative process. Music advocates traditionally have preferred the daily practice schedule and found the block schedule to be detrimental. The modified block, however, allows for four days of practice with one of those days for in-depth preparation for performances.

Another big plus, Dr. Crisp says, is the block slows the pace – culture – of the school day for students and staff for a portion of the school week. “The seven period schedule gets a bit frenetic day-after-day,” he says. Everyone has more time to think, plan and collaborate.

Additionally, implementation of the modified block has allowed Crisp to set aside time each Wednesday for the College Ready program. It is a learning period designed to engage students in grade level programming like senior projects, 21st century digital skills, ACT/SAT preparation, 8th to 9th grade transitions, and post-graduate preparation.College Ready also provides a placeholder/time for special opportunities for student enrichment like guest speakers and community outreach opportunities resulting in limited classroom interruptions.

“Teton County is filled with community members with expertise in many
fields. Partnering with the community is an important element of JHHS programming,” Dr. Crisp said. “At the same time, maintaining instructional time is the primary goal because we are held directly accountable for student achievement. The College Ready period allows for a time during the school day when community partnerships can directly impact our students without taking away from classroom instructional time.”

Dr. Crisp said every new program takes time for both students and teachers to adjust to the pace, workload and routine. The schedule is being evaluated throughout the year and he doubts it’s perfect. After collecting feedback from teachers and parents, he imagines “tweaking” the schedule in future years.