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Sandpoint High reports progress from flex Fridays and proposes changes to honor system
Summary
Sandpoint High School described its flex‑Friday intervention model and reported decreases in failing grades after schedule changes; staff proposed adjustments to valedictorian/honors calculations to reflect fewer class opportunities under a 6‑period day.
Jackie, principal of Sandpoint High School, presented data on the school’s schedule changes and the flex‑Friday intervention model created after the district moved from an 8‑period to a 6‑period day. She said flex Fridays provide seven opportunities each semester for intervention or extension, and students must meet academic and attendance criteria to earn a flex Friday: “You need to be there 90% of the time,” staff explained, and classes require roughly a 75% grade threshold in each course to qualify for flex release.
School staff said the initiative has reduced the number of failing marks: from 448 single F marks in semester 1 of 2022–23 to 282 the following year, and further decreases in subsequent years attributed to Bulldog Time and related supports. The department chair explained proposed changes to the honors and valedictorian calculations to account for fewer counted credits—options include allowing students to have one B without automatic disqualification and moving toward a Latin‑style honors distribution (e.g., summa/magna/ cum laude) for future classes. The board discussed whether to keep valedictorian/salutatorian distinctions and agreed to survey the community before making final changes.
