The Trimester Schedule

All district schools function on a trimester schedule. In a trimester schedule, the school year is divided into three terms, or trimesters, rather than four. Each trimester extends for approximately 60 days. Grades are finalized three times per year and parent-teacher conferences occur two times per year.

At the high school level, class schedules change at trimester.

Middle school students in 6th grade will transition electives every six weeks, as has been the practice at this grade level. Middle school students in 7th and 8th grade transition electives at the midpoint in the school year.

A trimester schedule provides a number of instructional benefits, including the following:

• Provides more time for students to learn and demonstrate proficiency within a grading period.
• Provides extended time at beginning of the year for students to acclimate to new school, classroom and schedule before the first report cards of the school year are finalized.
• Provides more time for teachers and parents to collaborate, identify and address areas of concern during the grading period.
• Provides more time for teaching and learning, due to the reduced time required for formal assessment at the end of a grading period with fewer grading periods.
• Provides more flexibility for teachers to pace curriculum and ensure student understanding.