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Chatham district previews middle-school schedule changes for 2025–26; teachers involved in finalizing electives
Summary
The district's curriculum committee said the middle-school schedule for 2025–26 will more closely mirror the high school with longer class periods and a four-day rotation, while teachers remain involved in finalizing elective placements.
The School District of the Chathams' curriculum committee told the board that the middle-school schedule planned for the 2025–26 school year will more closely mirror the high school model, with longer class periods and a four-day rotation that replaces the current six-day cycle.
"The middle school schedule is expected to, more closely mirror what is currently utilized at the high school, with longer class periods, and a drop every 4 days," Board member Ross said during committee remarks.
Ross and district staff said the structural change is intended to simplify the rotation for students and families. Committee members described the schedule as having eight class slots: six predetermined (the four core subjects, world language, and health/physical education) and two slots reserved for electives or rotating cycle offerings. The selection process for parents and students is expected to remain the same, staff said, but the district plans to add several elective options that will be reflected in the program-of-studies materials.
District staff said teachers and supervisors have been actively involved in the design. The district reported recent meetings with grade-level teachers and supervisors and said the schedule is "pretty much the schedule that we're going to run," while some supplemental and elective placement details are still being finalized.
The administration plans to bring program-of-studies language for the middle and high school to the board for review and approval at an upcoming curriculum meeting; staff described that review as a step toward providing parents and students a finalized set of course choices for registration.
Separate but related: district staff confirmed the architect will support interior projects tied to the reconfiguration where physical changes are required. Some of those interior projects will require formal bidding; the district expects to prepare bid documents in spring so work can be completed over the summer and be ready by the second week in August.
Why it matters: schedule changes affect daily class time, elective availability and family planning. The district emphasized teacher involvement and said the selection process for parents will remain largely unchanged while adding elective options.
What’s next: the curriculum committee will present the program-of-studies updates at the next curriculum meeting; staff said parents should expect fuller public information once the program language and elective lists are finalized.
Speakers quoted or cited: Board member Ross (curriculum committee), Dr. L'Souza (superintendent), district staff (schedule/building supervisors including Mr. Orsini).
