New MS and US Schedules

After two years of study and discussion, the Middle School and the Upper School will introduce new schedules beginning in September 2011.

Common Scheduling Terms

Cycle: the scheduling pattern (OES will use a six day cycle A through F)
Week: Monday through Friday
Day: the sequence of classes designated by a letter (the day name is designated by the first block of the day)
Block: a time designated by a letter when a class meets
Period: the time in the day when a block is scheduled and a class could meet
Class: a specific course (ex. English 10, Science 7)
Rotation: the pattern of blocks scheduled during the cycle that allow classes to meet at different times

It is a rotating schedule: classes will meet at different times in the day over the course of a cycle.
It is a 6-day cycle: days will be designated as A, B, C, D, E, and F.
The Middle School and Upper School schedules will be coordinated, allowing for students and faculty to cross over.
The MS has seven blocks (A through F). Each day has six periods. Two days each “week” students will also take a rotation class (Religion, Health & Wellness, etc.). The student will meet each class five out six days of the cycle.
The US has seven blocks (A through F) where most students take six classes with one open block. Each day has six periods, often including an open block. The student will meet each class five out of six days of the cycle.
There is one fixed block (G block) for each division that meets at the same time each day, four out of five days each week.
Middle School periods are either 45 or 50 minutes, and Upper School periods range from 50 to 60 minutes.

We are publishing the calendar of days for the entire year. We have designated each day by a letter (A through F) and this information will be posted in multiple locations, most notably the OES calendar available on the school website. The calendar is fixed—even if we have to miss a day because of weather or something else, we will follow the published calendar.
Each Thursday, classes will begin at 8:45, allowing faculty to meet from 7:45 to 8:40. We will offer supervision for students who arrive early. We will determine if the buses will run on a late or regular schedule on Thursdays.
Each division will maintain the important elements such as Chapel and Gathering.
Lower School will begin classes at 7:50 and end at 2:55 each day. Middle School and Upper School will begin classes at 8:00 and end classes at 3:05 each day.
Each division will stipulate homework and test-day expectations to minimize stress on students.

Video from US Head Jordan Elliott explaining how the schedule will work in the Upper School:
Part One
Part Two
Video from MS Head Scott Hardister explaining how the schedule will work in the Middle School.
See one-week schedules for the MS and US. Note how each class shifts to a different time each day and how most periods are the same in both divisions.
See a 3-week schedule of the MS or a 3-week schedule of the US. Note the 6-day rotation schedule.
See the calendar of days for the entire year.
Frequently Asked Questions