With the debut of the modified block schedule, a majority of the students and staff interviewed for this story are in favor of the new schedule. The teachers of Wenatchee High School enjoy the longer class periods because they can take time to work on projects, labs, group work, and have the time to debrief and work until the end of class.

Most of the students interviewed for this story enjoy the time to finish homework and get class work completed, yet there has been much debate on whether it’s a negative change or a positive change. The positive side of the modified block schedule is that it gives students a more personalized learning experience, and creates more opportunities for teachers and students to work together, WHS principal Bob Celebrezze said.

“It’s awesome because you get to spend more time in class and get to know your teachers better,” junior Miguel Villamontes said.

It is has been great for Art, Music, Foreign Language, English and Science classes that hold projects and class based labs, according to several teachers.

“There can be a deeper understanding with labs and project based learning is easier with an 85-minute class period,” Celebrezze said.

Ceramics teacher Don Collins really likes the modified block schedule. “Kids can work deeply in a project. I have had students tell me that they like to have an Art class that is long [because] it’s better for projects,” said Collins.

The same can be said with Science classes; the longer period allows the abillity to finish activities and labs. “It works great with science classes, [it’s] good for activities and labs. We can debrief with a lab and be done,” said science teacher Karlynn Funk.

With Foreign Language classes it works great because the teachers have enough time to work on a project or an activity and have the ability to finish it by the end of class.

“So far I like the time [we have] to work on projects and activities,” said French teacher Rachael Simmons. “I have time to start an activity and work through it until it’s finished.”

Another advantage to the modified block schedule is that students have time to delve deeper into the homework and get the help they need from teachers, which in turn allows them to finish the homework.

“I really like it in the sense that you can get your homework done in class so there’s not this big hassle when you get home, because let’s be honest, no one likes homework except for a few people,” sophomore Brooke Gladsjo said.

With some classes it works but not to the full extent, such as with Math classes.

“As a math teacher it wouldn’t be my first choice,” Tom Alexander said, “Math in small bites is more preferable. Big blocks of time is good for more project-related activities.”

Some people have mentioned that this schedule is complicated and not very beneficial to the students of WHS.

With this new schedule in place, word has been mentioned about Core 24. Core 24 is a new set of graduation requirements which was voted by Washington’s Board of Education, which requires 24 credits to graduate.

The Core 24 system will require students to develop a High School and Beyond Plan and choose class courses that will accommodate their goals.

“Another point that Core 24 is trying to do, is trying to provide student with a strong academic foundation as well as the flexibility to prepare them for whatever path they chose that could be universities, it could be college, it could be a career, it could be the armed forces, and it could be a apprenticeship.” Celebrezze said

By 2019 WHS will have Core 24 put in place, but for now it won’t affect WHS and the new schedule. The graduating classes of 2015 through 2017 will still be required to have 23 credits to graduate.