What is the 3x5 Schedule?

Since working with schedule consultant Mike Rettig in late November, the HSST has been investigating a five-period trimester (otherwise known as a 3x5) schedule.  Again, this is a schedule of high interest, not the only schedule up for consideration.

Key elements of the 3x5 schedule include the following:

• On the trimester schedule, the academic year of 180 days is separated into three 60-day grading periods called trimesters; currently, the school year is divided into two 90-day semesters.  
• On the trimester schedule, students receive official grades that are recorded on their transcript three times a year; currently, transcripted grades are earned twice in a school year (January and June).  
• On the trimester schedule, students can enroll in up to five classes in a term; currently, students can take up to seven classes at one time.
• On the trimester schedule, Homestead teachers would teach four classes and have one 70-minute preparation period daily; currently, they teach six classes and have one 50-minute preparation period each day.  
• On the trimester schedule, class periods are approximately 70 minutes long; currently, each period lasts 50 minutes.  
• On the trimester schedule, students can earn up to 7.5 credits per year; currently, students can earn up to 7.0 credits in an academic year.
• On the trimester schedule, current year-long classes would run for two or three trimesters.  Current semester-long classes would run for one or two trimesters.

As is the case with any schedule, the 3x5 schedule presents both benefits and challenges to students, teachers, and the school.  As such, the HSST is investigating it carefully.

Since December, I have conducted phone interviews of principals working at schools in and outside of Wisconsin that teach on the 3x5 schedule.  Site visits to some of those schools will be happening in February, with results of those visits being shared with the HSST, parents, students, and the Homestead faculty in February and March.

For your information, the following schools in Wisconsin and Michigan currently teach on the trimester schedule (note that this list is not comprehensive):

• Neenah High School (Neenah, WI):  www.neenah.k12.wi.us/nhs/
• West DePere High School (West DePere, WI):  www.wdpsd.com/high/
• Seaholm High School (Birmingham, MI):  www.seaholm.birmingham.schoolfusion.us
• Groves High School (Birmingham, MI):  www.groves.birmingham.schoolfusion.us
• North Farmington High School (Farmington Hills, MI):  www.farmington.k12.mi.us/nfhs
• Saline High School (Saline, MI):  hs.salineschools.com
• Spring Lake High School (Spring Lake, MI):  www.springlakeschools.org/high

So long as the 3x5 remains a schedule of interest for the HSST, I will continue to provide information about this approach to organizing the school day and year.