After a faculty vote earlier this year, Van Nuys High School is shifting from a traditional six-period day to a more flexible eight-period block format dividing classes over two alternating days.
Under this system, students take four classes each day, alternating between two course sets. This schedule is designed to balance students’ workload, enabling them to concentrate on fewer subjects daily while engaging with a broader range of courses throughout the week.
The change has received mixed reactions. Some students appreciate having fewer classes per day, while others are adjusting to the longer class periods and the need to stay organized across two days.
The administration says the change is intended to promote deeper learning and better prepare students for the demands of college and beyond.
By increasing the number of periods each student has, the school has created more opportunities for students to explore electives, Advanced Placement courses and enrichment programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Ms. Dawn Brown, the school’s curriculum coordinator, gave students the chance to indicate their course preferences through a grade-specific survey.
Student interest was strong in electives like the History of Rock and Roll,Intro to Psychology,Philosophy, Photography, AP European History and Painting 2, particularly among those in search of building their artistic skills.
“I wish these options had been available when I was a freshman,” senior Maria Robles said. “It would’ve been more interesting to explore classes like photography or philosophy earlier. It really feels like they’re giving students more opportunities to find what they love.”
According to administrators, the schedule change is also intended to help students connect more deeply with their learning beyond the required coursework.
“It’s cool to see the school finally giving us more choices,” Robles added. “I just hope the underclassmen take full advantage of it.”
Not all students are onboard with the change. Sophomore Chanel Freeman raised concern about the schedule’s impact.
“I think the block schedule is gonna suck because attention spans in kids our age are really lacking and four periods instead of six means longer classes,” she added.
For students-athletes, the new schedule offers an added advantage; two periods dedicated to their sport, rather than just one. This provides athletes more time to train, enhance their skills and balance both academic and athletic commitments.
“I really like the new block schedule because it gives athletes more time for practice and it allows us more time to do our class work,” junior Leelan Castro said.
Having all of these opportunities can lead to an exciting and exploratory experience for incoming freshmen. Some middle school students, like incoming freshman Jesus Robles, are already looking forward to what they’ll be able to do next year.
“I was always going to attend Van Nuys High School, which feels like a fresh start,” Robles stated. “But now that everything has changed, I’m excited for all the new experiences and classes, like photography.”
As students and staff continue to adjust to the schedule, school officials say it reflects their effort to provide a more flexible and engaging educational environment.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 print edition.
