Rethinking Schoolwide Schedules: Build a School Day That Prioritizes People
Both learners and teachers need more time — not to do more of the same, but to use all time in new, different, and better ways. The key to liberating learning lies in unlocking time.
– 1994 Report of the National Education Commission on Time and Learning
INTRO
Creating a schoolwide schedule isn’t just a logistical task—it’s a strategic opportunity to advance equity, foster a supportive culture, and align your school community. Whether you’re refining what already works or considering a bigger shift, the process starts with curiosity, reflection, and input from those most impacted.
OBJECTIVES
- Reflect on your current schoolwide schedule and how it supports student and staff needs
- Generate ideas that could strengthen scheduling practices in your school or district
An effective schoolwide schedule does far more than keep the bells ringing on time. It sets the rhythm for the entire learning community and plays a vital role in ensuring students have equitable access to learning opportunities and holistic support. A well-designed schoolwide schedule can also foster staff well-being by creating time for meaningful collaboration, preparation, and professional growth. When done right, scheduling becomes a powerful lever for a healthier and more connected school environment.
That said, reimagining a schoolwide schedule is not a task to rush or take lightly. It requires thoughtful research, inclusive dialogue, and honest reflection—especially from students, whose voices are often underrepresented in scheduling decisions.
Reflect on Your Current Schoolwide Schedule
Consider the following:
- What aspects of your current schedule are working well?
- What concerns or challenges have been raised by staff, students, or families?
- When was the last time your school made significant changes to the schedule?
- What potential barriers might arise if changes were proposed or implemented?
If you had the opportunity to design your ideal schoolwide schedule—with no constraints—what would it look like? What specific elements, time structures, or strategies would you include, and why?
Exploring a new schoolwide schedule can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. Unlocking Time is a national project designed to support K–12 school leaders in this work by offering practical strategies to align time with their school’s values and priorities. The project provides insight into how schools across the country structure time and offers customized tools and services—particularly for eligible high-need schools—to help leaders implement time-based strategies that fuel student-centered learning.
TIP
Whether you’re designing your own schedule or considering different models, Unlocking Time offers adaptable strategies that support a variety of schoolwide schedule structures. A few key strategies to consider include:
To support your exploration, several additional tools are available to help guide your thinking and planning. These resources offer different entry points for reflecting on your current practices, envisioning possibilities, and designing a schoolwide schedule aligned with your goals for equity and student success. Whether you’re looking to spark creative ideas, engage your team in meaningful dialogue, or take actionable steps toward change, these tools can help you move from reflection to strategy with greater clarity and confidence.
Sketch a School offers a unique way to think about designing instructionally-focused schools. The approach focuses on two complimentary perspectives.
ERS has empowered school system leaders to make transformative shifts in resources, structures, and practices so that all students—especially those with the greatest learning needs and those furthest from opportunity—attend a school where they can learn and thrive.
Their tool, Three Steps to a Strategic Schedule, can help you reflect, explore, and design your schedule.
As you reflect on your current schedule and explore the possibilities ahead, consider engaging your leadership team in the conversation. Bringing others into the process early—especially those who bring diverse perspectives and roles—can spark new ideas and surface important considerations. By starting the dialogue with a shared commitment to equity, student-centered learning, and staff well-being, you’ll be better positioned to shape a schedule that truly serves your school community. The journey begins with curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to think differently about how time can support your school’s values and vision.
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