[SutherlandMatters] ACPS Middle and High Schools to operate half-day modified exam schedule on December 16-18

[David Rogers]

For the past three years, high schools in Albemarle County have delivered their first semester exams prior to Winter Break on a modified half-day schedule which included two exams per day. Last year, the program was expanded to our five middle schools, which will be continued this year. All middle schools will follow the half-day high school schedule as well. Many middle school students take high school level classes, and all students begin taking semester exams in their eighth grade year, so this change will align those students with their high school counterparts. 

Having exams prior to Winter Break has worked well for students and their families as it eliminates exam studying over the holiday break and shifts the focus to family and relaxation. It also offers time when school s resume in January for project-based culminating assignments, and for remediation of students who have not shown mastery of learning on the semester exams. 

The half-day schedule allows for two exam periods per day, with a short break between them. Students take their first exam from 9:00 - 10:45 and their second exam from 11:00 - 12:45. Buses depart by 1:00 p.m. and take students home so they can study for their next day's exams. High school principals report that this schedule allows students to focus on their exams, and to get the necessary rest and study time needed to do well on them. 

Additionally, having both middle and high school students follow the same schedule will save about $10,000 in operational efficiency for the county. The regular middle and high school bus routes will run at 1:00 p.m., and drivers will then return for elementary school routes at 2:20 p.m. Since most middle and high school students ride the same buses, not combining their schedules would have required a third bus run each day to bring middle school students home at 4:00 p.m. "Grab and go" snack items will be served at the high schools between the exams.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED AT SUTHERLAND.