The Rogers School District will explore switching to a block schedule for high school classes, a move that could shift how students experience their school day. The decision came after the district’s board approved a contract with Education Week Research Center, a consulting firm that will study the potential impact of the change.
A block schedule typically involves longer class periods — often 90 minutes — with fewer classes each day. In many models, students take four classes one semester and four different classes the next. The approach is used in districts across Arkansas and the U.S., with proponents citing benefits such as improved student engagement and deeper learning. Critics, however, point to challenges including gaps in instruction and difficulties with student retention.
Rogers High School and Jim Williams High School currently operate on a traditional six-period schedule. Any shift to a block schedule would mark the first major change to the secondary school structure in the district in more than a decade.
Superintendent Jeff Perry said the district is in the early stages of research and has not committed to making the switch. The board’s approval on Tuesday night allows the district to begin gathering data on how the schedule might affect student performance, teacher workload, and extracurricular participation.
“We’re not making any decisions yet,” Perry said. “This is about gathering the right information and hearing from our community before we move forward.”
The Education Week Research Center will conduct a series of focus groups and surveys involving teachers, students, and parents. Their findings are expected to be presented to the school board in October. The firm has conducted similar research for districts in Arkansas and across the South, including Bentonville and Springdale in recent years.
District leaders say one of the main questions is how a block schedule would affect Advanced Placement and dual credit courses, which make up a significant portion of the high school curriculum in Rogers. Counselors and teachers will also weigh in on how the change might influence student-teacher interactions and overall academic pacing.
Some teachers in the district have expressed cautious optimism. Sarah Hendricks, a history teacher at Rogers High School, said longer class periods could allow for more in-depth projects and hands-on learning. “But we also have to think about the kids who need that daily structure,” she said. “It’s not one size fits all.”
The district has not released cost estimates for implementing a new schedule, but changes could include adjustments to bell times, transportation routes, and staffing models. A previous proposal in 2014 was tabled due to concerns over busing logistics and community pushback.
Rogers is the third-largest school district in Northwest Arkansas, serving more than 11,000 students across 18 schools. The high schools are located in the central part of the city, near Pinnacle Hills and the historic Railyard area.
Community Input Expected
The research phase will include multiple opportunities for public comment. The first community forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 10 in the Rogers High School library. Spanish interpretation will be available, and virtual participation options will be announced by the district later this week.
Parents and students are encouraged to share feedback through an online survey, which will be open from June 1 through July 15. The district plans to host additional forums in the fall before presenting final recommendations to the school board.
For now, classes at both high schools will continue as scheduled. Any potential shift to a block schedule would not take effect until the 2027-28 school year at the earliest.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
