Nordhoff High School 6 Period Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
For the 2020-21 academic year Nordhoff High School has begun a transition to a 6-period day as a recommendation for 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.
Q: What caused this transition?
A: Like nearly all districts around the state, we are facing a budget deficit in the 2020-21 school year. Our deficit of $1.1 million is due to increased costs and flat school funding. Recommending that students take 6 classes instead of 7 is one action that will reduce district expenditures.
Additionally, as over 50% of Nordhoff students participate in an after-school sport or activity that counts as a course, automatically enrolling students in all 6 courses during the day and a 7th course after school means that over 50% of NHS students will acquire over 280 credits. This is 40 credits more than a 6 period day and 55 more credits than is necessary for graduation requirements.
We have had feedback from stakeholder groups, including students, that there is a concern that students are over-stressed in high school. Overscheduling kids contributes to this stress and is unnecessary since students do not need to enroll in more than 6 classes each year to meet their high school and college requirements. For most students, a 6 period day throughout the school year will reduce stress while still allowing them courses to meet all of their high school requirements and remain competitive for college. This can also allow some students the option of a delayed start or early release.
Finally, this change is also part of our transition to a delayed start as required by law in the 2021-22 school year, which will not allow for 7 periods.
Q: Which grades does this affect?
A: This transition will affect mostly 11th and 12th grade students for the 20-21 school year, however some 10th grade students will be affected as well.
Q: What will students be doing during their open period?
A: Students will have the opportunity to work in our library or computer lab, get a head start on homework, have extra study time, or simply relax under a shady tree. Open periods have been part of students’ schedules for years, and while this is more likely for juniors and seniors due to fewer required classes at their level, we have had some sophomores with open periods.
Q: Will students be allowed to leave campus during free period?
A: We will follow our current policy. Students who have free periods during the school day are expected to stay on campus, just as they currently are, and take advantage of the extra time to complete work. If parents choose to sign students out for work or enrichment opportunities, they can do so by contacting the Attendance Office.
Q: Besides freeing up a stressful workload, how does this benefit students?
A: We plan to offer students summer school courses for remediation and acceleration at NHS. Students who complete a class for acceleration purposes at Nordhoff could open a spot in their schedule for another class.
Q: What summer classes will be available for our students? Will we be expected to pay for them?
A: The summer classes we will have available are open to all OUSD students free-of-charge. We are currently finalizing our schedule, however at this time we believe we will have the following:
Classes available on campus.
Digital Video Basics
Drawing, Painting and Composition
College and Career Foundations
Early Childhood Development (Leads to Early Childhood Educator certificate) - NEW
Stop Motion Animation - NEW
Women’s Studies - NEW
Classes available online:
Health
Geography
World History
Government
Economics
Custom selection based on student need/interest
Q: What are some examples of how my student will be able to meet their goals, with the pathway they have chosen?
A: Below is an example of a 6-period day schedule for Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior or Senior students. Whether the student follows a 2-year of 4-year college pathway, a competitive-for-University pathway, a Career Technical Education pathway, or a combination pathway there is room in a 6-period day for all.
Additionally, students may be granted the option of a 7-period day for the following reasons:
Pathway/Core Class Completion Need- if the student needs 7 courses because they are an athlete who also needs 6 other classes in order to complete their pathway (CTE, A-G, or Combo), and/or be competitive for college, or to complete core classes. Core classes include English, Social Studies, Math, Science, Spanish, 2 years of one CTE pathway, PE up to 20 credits, and Directed Studies.
Total Credit Completion Need- if the student needs 7 classes in order to earn 225 credits to graduate.
Q: Why didn’t you communicate this to parents in advance?
A: We discussed this as a team and made the wrong choice. We should have communicated with parents in advance.
Staff and administration met daily over the weeks leading up to registration to discuss the nuances of recommending a six period day for most students. In these discussions, it became clear that every student's situation is unique. Because there are multiple factors to consider including grade level, credits needed to graduate, whether or not students are in a CTE pathway, NCAA, and others, we made the decision that we would work with students directly, so that counselors could work through individual graduation plans with students. As part of this preparation, we created an appeals process so that we can try and accommodate students who really want to take a seven period day and can't take advantage of summer school or other new online options.
In trying to limit confusion we inadvertently created confusion. We should have communicated in advance.
Ultimately, we are committed to ensuring students have access to a robust course of study that maps to their goals, and is flexible as goals change. We are here to individually work with families to create the best schedule for students. Should you have outstanding questions, please email Nordhoff High School Principal Dave Monson at dmonson@ojaiusd.org or OUSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sherrill Knox at sknox@ojaiusd.org