Huntington Park Senior High School website
Before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Huntington Park High School followed a 6-period full-day schedule, with students attending all 6 periods each day students were on campus. However, as the school prepared for the 2020 academic school year, administrators at HPHS shifted the school year towards an 8-period system. With this new schedule, students would attend 4 periods on one day and the remaining periods the following day, creating an alternating block schedule.
This academic year is the fourth year that students have been following the 8-period block schedule at HPHS. The school managed to hire extra teachers for this system using funds allocated for coronavirus-related expenses. With the decrease in COVID cases and the pandemic’s severity, the school will no longer receive these funds. Now, administrators must determine if the school can continue with the 8-period block schedule.
Administrators have made a list of the advantages and disadvantages of having 8 periods. One advantage is that students can earn 320 credits, compared to only 210 credits with 6 periods. Another advantage is that students can retake classes they failed in previous years during school, instead of attending credit recovery during breaks. Additionally, students have the chance to take more elective classes, such as CTE or dual enrollment classes with partner colleges/universities.
A disadvantage of the 8 periods begins in a student’s senior or even junior year of high school.
“A con of the 8 periods is the extra classes students may have to take during their senior year”, said Ms. Cardoza, HPHS Magnet Counselor.
With the implementation of the block schedule, students have the opportunity to complete their A-G requirements and CSU/UC academic requirements ahead of schedule. This allows them to get a head start on their academic journey. However, it is important to note that in their final two years, they might find themselves enrolled in courses that are not essential to their academic requirements.
A few teachers have made it known that the discontinuity of not seeing their students everyday can affect student learning.
“Math teachers don’t see their students everyday,” said Ms. Cardoza.
Subjects such as mathematics, science, and English must be consistently practiced every day to guarantee student comprehension and achievement in these fundamental courses. This achievement can only be attained through adherence to the traditional 6-period schedule.
Around a week or two ago, the administration approached the teachers with an important decision to make. They were asked to cast their votes on which schedule they would prefer for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The outcome of this vote turned out to be evenly divided. Half of the faculty expressed their desire to revert to the traditional 6-period school day, while the other half advocated for the continuation of the 8-period block schedule.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether the 8-period block schedule will continue. Nevertheless, the administration is putting in its utmost effort to ensure its continuation.
Written by, Katherine Castellanos Staff Writer