A Case For RDBS Schedule

Why a Rotating Drop Block?

Increased Flexibility: A slightly different schedule over the course of a 4-day cycle offers variety and flexibility, reducing feelings of stagnancy and offering interactions between students and staff at various points of the day.
Deeper Learning: Longer class time allows for more collaboration, hands-on application of skills, and “deeper” learning opportunities:
- Creates more substantial PE and elective class learning experiences (Art, Foods, Band)
- Transition to a college-style model of a class; encourages time management and long-term planning.
Reduced Stress: Having fewer classes per day can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed, thus improving focus and confidence:
- Students have more time for reflection and less information to process daily
- Students will have fewer classes to prepare for each day, while still taking a full schedule
- Student tardies will not impact the same class every day.
Foster Staff/Student Relationships: Teachers have more time with each class of students, which can build stronger relationships and offer opportunities for even more individualized support.
Positive School Climate: A different schedule each day of the 4-day cycle offers opportunity for varied arrival/end times and more flexibility for meeting with students and colleagues. It also provides longer daily prep blocks and a longer daily lunch block.

Improved Sleep: Teenagers have a later sleep-wake cycle, making it inherently difficult for them to fall asleep early. A later start time allows them to get more sleep in the morning, when their body/brain naturally desire it, resulting in more adequate lengths of sleep time. This is beneficial to their physical and mental health. Research has shown that Adequate Sleep Results in:

Increased Energy
Enhanced Academic Performance
Better Mood and Mental Health
Reduced Risk of Accidents
Increased Participation in Extracurricular Activities

While some argue that a later start time could disrupt the daily schedules of working parents or impact after-school activities, the long-term benefits for students' health and academic success outweigh these potential drawbacks.

School Arrival Time vs. Start Time

We understand that for some students and families, an earlier drop off time works with the family routine while offering the student:

opportunity for parent-provided transportation
time for a relaxed breakfast
time to gear up for the day, via music, podcast or reading
time to review/refresh on academic studies
time to socialize with friends

Select areas of our schools will be open and secure as early as 7:15am for student arrival.

Why a Unit Lunch?

Reduced Stress/Improved Climate: Decreases the stress caused when friends don’t share a common lunch; Promotes a “siesta” culture, whereby most students have the opportunity to step away from academics at a shared time.
Social Interaction: It fosters a sense of community and allows students to connect with a wider range of peers, potentially forming new friendships.
Increased Extracurricular Participation: Offering the option for clubs and activities to take place during lunch, rather than exclusively after school, invites student-athletes/working students the opportunity to participate.
Enhanced Learning Opportunities: The unit lunch has the potential to be available for extra help sessions and additional learning opportunities that are often reserved for after-school hours.

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