Over the years, Cal High administrators and staff have engaged in recurring discussions about potential changes to the school schedule.
Part of the reason is that the San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s four high schools don’t share a common schedule.
Monte Vista High has all classes meeting on Mondays and alternating blocks on Tuesdays through Fridays. At San Ramon Valley and Dougherty Valley, all classes meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays and follow block schedules on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Many Cal teachers have been adamant about keeping the current block schedule because their instructional time is more efficiently spent.
They’re right. This existing schedule is the best option.
Cal alternates between odd and even days, offering a unique set of advantages that contribute to a well-rounded and effective learning environment.
The current block schedule is familiar. Students and teachers thrive on routine, and the rotating block schedule provides a predictable structure to the school week.
With the same classes following each other in a set pattern, students can better organize their study routines, plan for assignments, and allocate time for extracurricular activities. Consistency in scheduling helps create a sense of stability, which is essential for academic success.
With San Ramon Valley and Dougherty Valley’s schedules, a routine is more difficult to establish, creating less consistency.
Cal’s block schedule allows for extended 95-minute class periods, providing students with more time to delve into complex topics and engage in meaningful discussions. Longer class periods enable teachers to incorporate various teaching methods, including hands-on activities, group projects and in-depth lectures.
This also minimizes time spent transitioning between classes. With only three to four classes per day, students spend less time walking between classes and more time learning concepts in greater depth.
On the other hand, students in a traditional schedule spend more time each day walking to different classes and less time actually learning because of the shorter class periods.
The block schedule also provides students with increased flexibility to participate in extracurricular activities. With fewer classes each day, students receive less homework, resulting in more time to engage in sports, jobs and other after-school activities without feeling overwhelmed by a demanding schedule.