The importance of scheduling
University School of Milwaukee’s academic schedules are more than just an arrangement of classes. Although specific goals and objectives vary in age-appropriate ways by division, the academic schedule serves as a foundational structure that supports both student learning and other developmental needs. Research has shown that immersive experiences for students can significantly improve attention and focus, while also helping with retention of new information. In the fall of 2022, the Middle School formed a committee of teachers and administrators with an overarching goal to create a schedule that could bolster project-based learning and hands-on activities, and better support the developmental needs of Middle School students.
Learn more about the developmental appropriateness of the new Middle School schedule
Extended class blocks
As a group, this committee reviewed research on academic schedules with extended class blocks and learned that they reduce student stress levels by reducing the frequency of transitions during the school day. From their research, they also discovered that this block scheduling results in academic gains. The Middle School faculty—as a whole, and within individual departments—learned more about these 85-minute blocks and created ideas on how best to use them to deliver content in a more hands-on and immersive way. Their work led to the following important outcomes:
New schedule summary and benefits
- Gained back instructional time: Gained approximately four hours of instructional time in each 8-day cycle by redesigning the delivery of advising, WINN (“what I need now” – extra help) time, and ORB (outside reading book) time
- Created flexible time for students and teachers: “Community Time” block in the middle of each day allows students opportunities to complete homework, seek extra help, do advising activities; better placed than previous WINN time, which was previously early in the school day
- Created a predictable rotation of blocks across all disciplines: Honors the fact that Middle School students are still developing executive functioning skills and need a more predictable rotation of blocks
- Created longer blocks: Replaced 65-minute periods with 85-minute periods to slow the pace of the school day and reduce the transitions between classes; allows students to do more in-depth work and should reduce stress (four rather than five classes now meet each day)
- Corrected the lunch periods: Previously, some Middle School students would not start lunch until 12:30 p.m., which is late in a middle school setting; all students are now done eating by 12:30 p.m.
- Eliminated the need for “partner advisors”: Previously, some World Languages teachers taught across grade levels and were not always available during students’ scheduled advising times; now, all teachers across all grade levels are free during advising
An improved experience
The 2023–24 school year is officially a pilot year for the new Middle School schedule, and undoubtedly some tweaks may need to be made as features are discovered that don’t work quite as expected. However, these changes are student-centered and mission-driven, and there is a high level of confidence that the Middle School student experience will continue to improve as a result of the new schedule.
Strategic Plan Commitment 1, Goal 2:
“New Middle School Schedule” Committee
Jason Strains
Committee Members: Michael Matera, 6th Grade History Teacher (co-chair); Jason Strains, 8th Grade Math Teacher (co-chair); Cheryl Bair, 5th Grade English Teacher; Jeff Ballentine; Middle School Spanish Teacher; Tim Bartz, Middle School Physical Education Teacher; Nicola De Torre, 8th Grade Science Teacher; Brad Dunning, Assistant Head of Middle School; Kamie Fultz, 6th Grade Science Teacher; Elaine Griffin, Head of Middle School; Amy Hand, Assistant Head of School; Sarah Markwald, Middle School Art Teacher; Amy Norman, 6th Grade English Teacher; Hannah Reimer, 5th Grade World Cultural Geography Teacher; Maria Rodriguez, Middle School Administrative Assistant; Ellen Shuler, Middle School and Upper School Music Teacher
Jason Strains
Committee Members: Michael Matera, 6th Grade History Teacher (co-chair); Jason Strains, 8th Grade Math Teacher (co-chair); Cheryl Bair, 5th Grade English Teacher; Jeff Ballentine; Middle School Spanish Teacher; Tim Bartz, Middle School Physical Education Teacher; Nicola De Torre, 8th Grade Science Teacher; Brad Dunning, Assistant Head of Middle School; Kamie Fultz, 6th Grade Science Teacher; Elaine Griffin, Head of Middle School; Amy Hand, Assistant Head of School; Sarah Markwald, Middle School Art Teacher; Amy Norman, 6th Grade English Teacher; Hannah Reimer, 5th Grade World Cultural Geography Teacher; Maria Rodriguez, Middle School Administrative Assistant; Ellen Shuler, Middle School and Upper School Music Teacher
“Our new block schedule provides students with a more well-rounded and comprehensive education, which supports the heart of USM’s mission for students to be engaged, known, and valued.”