Big Spring students and staff will follow a new bell schedule come August, one that includes year round classes mixed with longer block periods. The schedule has been in the works for the last year, and was finally revealed to students at scheduling meetings Feb 13. According to Principal. Michael Carnes, the shift is designed to better replicate a university environment. “It will prepare students for college schedules,” Carnes said. Students will move away from the five period day and head into a 7 class, 43 minute period, day on Mondays, Tuesday, and Fridays. Instead of block sessions every day, they will now only occur on Wednesdays and Thursdays. According to Carnes, this will allow for more course offerings, including more AP classes. Carnes also added, “We believe it will actually improve student engagement.”
Many staff and students are concerned about how the new schedule might affect clubs and extracurricular activities, but Carnes said, “It won’t affect them at all.” However, some staff members who oversee these groups are not as certain. Ashley Oldham, a club advisor for Dawg Pound, expressed concern over the reduction of flex periods. “While I still have a lot to learn about the schedule, I am worried that we are going to lose club members that will now struggle to attend all of the meetings given fewer flex opportunities,” Oldham said. She also noted that active groups like Dawg Pound run events year-round and require weekly meetings, adding, “I am uncertain if that is an option in this schedule.” The new schedule only shows flexes on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, as opposed to every day in the current schedule.
The new bell schedule is a bit more complicated in that it includes varying minutes of class on varying days, and many teachers and students have yet to understand it fully and to wrap their heads around the number of classes and time changes. Adam McKeehan, English teacher, contemplated what his current lessons will look like in the new schedule. “I have to be strategic about what things I do on what days. Activities that take an hour, I obviously won’t be able to do in the 43 minute period.”
Students also have questions remaining about the schedule next year. Senior Kyleigh O’Donnell expressed concern for her peers, stating, “I think students may also be confused going from a mixed schedule to yearlong classes.” Despite these concerns, O’Donnell, who will be heading to college next year does see some value in the longer periods. O’Donnell noted that the block style classes have helped her prepare for a college-like class structure by setting her attention span to align with long lectures.
Regardless of remaining questions, Big Spring High School will take on this schedule for the 2026-2027 school year.
