FAQ: Middle School Schedule Improvements
We’ve gathered answers to common questions about the new middle school schedule to help your family prepare for the upcoming school year. If you have more questions, please reach out to us via Let’s Talk, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Updated April 23, 2026
No. While each grade level is moving from three teams to two, the total number of classes offered in each subject remains the same. This is because more teachers will support each team. Students are being redistributed across teams—not combined into larger classes—so class sizes will remain consistent and within typical middle school ranges.
No. While there will be fewer teams, more teachers will support each team, and the number of classes offered remains the same. Students will continue to have access to all core subjects and learning opportunities.
Yes. Students will continue to be part of a consistent team and have a core group of teachers. In some cases, students may have the same teacher for more than one subject, which can help strengthen relationships.
Teacher assignments are based on qualifications. In some cases, teachers may teach more than one subject within their certification area. This is part of the updated team structure and allows us to maintain full course offerings for students. Teachers will be supported in these assignments to ensure high-quality instruction for all students.
No. Course offerings and learning opportunities will remain the same as they are currently.
No. Students will continue to have access to the same courses and learning opportunities. These changes are focused on scheduling structure, not reducing programming.
Yes. These adjustments are part of ongoing efforts to better align staffing and scheduling across both middle schools. They reflect a number of factors over time, including the transition away from the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, adjustments to scheduling, and changes in enrollment. In recent years, planning time and class structures were not always consistent across staff. The updated schedule creates a more consistent approach, brings us closer to contractual expectations, and allows for more consistent access to teachers throughout the school day—all while maintaining a strong and stable experience for students.
No. Students will continue to have a full daily schedule that includes core classes, electives, WIN, and lunch. The overall structure of the school day will feel familiar, with only minor adjustments to class length.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 17, class periods for core subjects and electives will decrease slightly, from 50 minutes to 49 minutes each. The WIN/Lunch/Social block will increase from 72 minutes to 78 minutes total, allowing 39 minutes each for WIN and Lunch/Social.
This small shift redistributes time within the existing school day to ensure all scheduling and planning requirements are met, while maintaining consistency across both middle schools.
Sample bell schedules are included below (click images).
No. The start and end times for both Brooks and Julian Middle Schools remain the same. The change simply redistributes minutes within the school day to balance instructional and wellness time.
No. This is a bell schedule adjustment only—it does not impact students’ course enrollments, class rosters, or teacher assignments. Your child’s classes and teachers will remain exactly the same.
This is the first year of implementing the new middle school schedule, and we committed to reviewing its effectiveness throughout the year. During the first trimester, we identified a small group of teachers whose schedules provided fewer than the minimum consecutive planning minutes required by contract.
By adjusting instructional periods by one minute and slightly extending the mid-day block, we’re ensuring contractual compliance, consistency across both schools, and a schedule that better supports student balance and staff needs.
Students will continue to receive more instructional time in core subjects than in previous years—about 58 additional minutes each week. The extended WIN/Lunch/Social block also gives students more time to eat lunch, connect with peers, and participate in enrichment or support opportunities, supporting wellness and belonging during the school day.
We’re excited that the new middle school schedule has been redesigned to better meet the academic, social, and developmental needs of our students. With input from students, families, and staff, we’ve created a schedule that provides more consistent learning opportunities, increases time for core subjects, and offers enhanced flexibility for electives, enrichment, and support.
- Increased Instructional Time for Core Subjects: English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Science will each receive an additional hour of instructional time per week by shifting from an A/B rotation to daily instruction.
- Greater Student Choice in Electives: Students can select electives that align with their interests, ranging from world languages and band to design and drama. Flexible options include both year-long and trimester-based courses.
- Lunch, Enrichment, and Social Time Enhancements: All students will have a 72-minute period for lunch, structured social time (recess), and “What I Need” (WIN) time:
- Lunch and Recess (about 36 minutes) - offering students access to physical activity, as well as a chance to connect and recharge.
- WIN Block (about 36 minutes) - a dedicated time for students to receive targeted enrichment or intervention support. This new approach replaces the previous SOAR model.
- Unified Schedule Across Schools: Both middle schools will now follow the same bell schedule and course offerings, fostering equity and simplifying collaboration across the district.
- Focus on Supportive Transitions: The schedule is designed to support students’ academic growth while easing their transition into middle school and preparing them for success in high school.
Yes! The new middle school schedule was developed through a year-long process that included input from students, families, and staff. This collaborative effort ensured that the schedule aligns with the academic, social, and developmental needs of our students.
The process was guided by:
- Best practices from the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE).
- The district’s equity policy, ensuring all students have access to high-quality learning experiences.
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements for middle schools.
No, the new schedule is a hybrid:
- Every Day: Core subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Science) and one elective.
- A/B Rotation (Every Other Day): PE and one additional elective.
Here’s an example:
Switching to daily lessons for core subjects like English, Math, Science, and Social Science is a big step forward for our students' learning. With an extra hour of instruction each week for every subject, students will get more time to build important skills, dive deeper into key topics, and grow academically every single day.
Building a school schedule requires balancing many priorities, like daily instruction in core subjects, targeted interventions, engaging electives, physical education and social time. With limited hours in the school day and guidelines we need to follow, we’ve worked hard to create a schedule that reflects the input and priorities of our community and ensures that we are supporting students' academic, social, and personal growth.
