New Caney ISD students to have 8-period schedule, new start and dismissal times in 2024-25

The New Caney Independent School District is planning an eight-period per day schedule for secondary schools and new start and dismissal times for the 2024-25 school year. 

District officials said the changes would improve education by increasing the percentage of teachers’ time spent providing instruction and align the district with the state’s 26-credit graduation requirement. 

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“It really benefits our kids’ time on task, teachers teaching more effectively,” said Superintendent Matt Calvert during a board meeting on Oct. 16. “It also has the potential to lend itself to smaller class sizes.” 

This schedule would affect students from sixth to 12th grade. 

The eight-period per day schedule is common among many Texas school districts, said Scott Powers, executive director of public relations for the district. The district used an alternating, block schedule for a few years, he said. This included a five-day period per day schedule. 

The change from the district’s alternating, block schedule to an eight-period per day schedule has caused some parents and students to voice their concerns online. 

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A petition created Oct. 6 was critical of the new schedule for secondary schools, claiming it would be “detrimental to many students and teachers.” 

“(Five) periods per day gives a student a quality over quantity experience, with enough time to understand and master a subject,” the description of the petition reads. “Unlike (eight) periods per day, which gives us a watered down version of what we already have.”

As of Friday, the petition gained nearly 800 signatures. 

The district also is implementing new start and dismissal times at all campuses to create more availability of school buses, reduce the time spent and number of students on buses, according to a release from the district. 

For elementary schools, campus start time will be 8:30 a.m. and the dismissal time will be 3:55 p.m. For middle schools, campus start time will be 7 a.m. and the dismissal time will be 2:25 p.m. For high schools, campus start time will be 7:45 a.m. and the dismissal time will be 3:10 p.m. 

District officials have been discussing schedule options since 2022, meeting with a steering committee comprised of administrators, teachers and staff, Powers said.  

When asked about concerns from students and parents about the new schedule, Powers said the schedule would bring more continuity.

“The daily schedule is going to offer more continuity (and) less idle time,” he said. 

The schedule changes will go into effect for the 2024-25 school year. For more information, visit newcaneyisd.org.