Students and parents urge Oak Creek-Franklin board to adjust AB high-school schedule, district says AP access will be preserved

Connor Rossi, a senior at Oak Creek High School, told the board at its Jan. 12 meeting that the district’s planned move from a 4x4 block to an AB every-other-day schedule could make it harder for students to complete sequential math and essential senior-year English credits. “If math is only offered on AP days, students will be unable to complete all the prerequisite courses for a math class like calc 3 or differential equations,” Rossi said, adding that students who miss a semester could be forced into summer school or delayed graduation.

District staff presented the implementation plan and described supports the high school will add. Presenter Miss Meyengen said the district “will be running our current AP structure next year, similar to this year,” and described multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), STAR midyear testing to identify students for interventions, and new study periods and intervention blocks built into the AB day. Staff said teachers will receive training and that administrators are developing pacing guides and individual master schedules once students register.

Board members and student representatives asked how accelerated math sequences, early graduation and AP credit loads would be handled under AB. Staff answered that students could still double up in math where needed, that study halls and intervention periods will be available, and that freshmen orientation and course-selection work are underway. The presenters said they are still completing full enrollment runs for grades 9–11 and that some details (credit assignments, the final master schedule) will be clearer after spring STAR testing and the enrollment process.

Why this matters: The schedule change affects how many courses students can take simultaneously and therefore can shape access to advanced math and college-credit opportunities. Students and families requested additional accommodations for seniors seeking early graduation and for those who might fall behind because of illness or other disruptions.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue developing pacing guides and the master schedule and will return with updates; the board is expected to monitor enrollment and test-data outcomes as the plan is finalized.