For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, Westfield High School (WHS),Edison Intermediate School (EIS) and Roosevelt Intermediate School (RIS) will have completely different schedules. WHS is expected to follow a rotate-and-drop block schedule, while both middle schools will have a rotating schedule. But the question for many students is: What is a rotate-and-drop block schedule?
A rotate and drop block schedule is when there are fewer classes per day with extended periods but each class is on rotation. The students will not have every class every day hence the drop aspect, while the classes will also be on rotation allowing the classes to not be at the same time every day. The middle schools will be following a similar schedule, but instead of not having specific classes some days the classes will just rotate so that not every class will be at the same time every day, for example, math can be either first or sixth period depending on the day. Some specific benefits have been noted from previous block schedules, such as stronger teacher-student relationships, better productivity, more interactive lessons, and less homework because there are fewer classes.
Although the change may be beneficial, it will also be a large adjustment. “I believe that for sixth and seventh graders currently, it will be a big adjustment, but for upcoming sixth graders it will be easier because this will be their first year in middle school,” stated Student Assistance Counselor at EIS, Ms. Melissa Wilson.
Westfield schools will not be the only ones with block or rotation schedules. “I am not worried about the new schedule because my siblings have block schedules and they are fine,” said seventh grade student Meghan Carew.
While some feel positive about this new schedule, other students are weary of the change. Bella Morocho in seventh grade at EIS stated, “I don’t like it; I think that it will be overall confusing and it will be harder to process and change.”
Some students have also noted some potential benefits of the new schedule. “I think it will be better with a different schedule and a longer free period” declared Ethan Appleby, an eighth grade student at EIS.
For eighth graders currently, the change will also include adjusting to a much more serious and new environment which will be moving to the WHS. “I am not excited, it is going to mess things up in high school,” added Madelyn Koelhoffer, an eighth grade student at EIS.
Other students think that it will benefit their high school experience. “It will be more spread out, which makes us have more time to do work and focus better in class,” said Taylor Beckerman, an eighth grade student from EIS.
The overall change still makes some eighth-grade students even more concerned about the transition to high school. However, Mrs. Debbie Ann Vezos said, “Eighth graders will be able to adjust to the rotate and drop schedule because children are flexible and can handle change.”
The new schedule will also allow more flexibility when it comes to homework and afterschool activities. Ms. Mary Keller seventh grade social studies teacher said, “There is more flexibility with homework and outside activities. I know this because I have my daughter who had a similar schedule and she would plan her assignments around the schedule and her soccer.”
