Survey: Students prefer block schedule

By Oliver Liston

On November 23 and 24 Judge Memorial, for the first time this year, had eight classes in one day. This is not unfamiliar for returning Judge students. Last year students attended eight periods three days every week and 75-minute block periods on the other two days. 

On November 24, the Bulldog Press surveyed students about their preference in schedule, while both were still fresh in their minds. We surveyed 41 Judge sophomores, juniors and seniors to see if they would prefer to have last year’s schedule (mostly eight-period days) or this year’s schedule block schedule.

Results from the November 24 schedule survey.

Results of the survey showed that roughly 2/3 of the students surveyed (65.9%) preferred the 90-minute block period schedule while 34% preferred last year’s mixed schedule with predominantly 1-8 period days.

The main reasons people said for why they supported the block schedule were less homework, more manageable, and more in-depth learning in class. Students often said they felt 45-minute classes were too short to be productive. 

Annette Rooney, a Judge senior expressed these sentiments in her response “I really like having more time to do my homework with the block schedule, and it is less overwhelming having less classes per day. I feel like I am definitely more productive during class time and teachers are able to get more done.” 

Students who favored last year’s schedule felt the days went by faster with more periods and shorter classes. These students also felt that having 45-minute classes allowed them to stay focused and interested for the whole class. 

Although Zachary Petrogeorge said he prefers the block schedule, he enjoyed aspects of last year’s structure. “I like the old schedule because I feel like I am moving around more and seeing different people throughout the day.”