Rockbridge County High School is proposing a transition to a 4x4 block schedule beginning in the 2026–27 school year, according to school and division officials.
The idea has sparked significant concern and discussion among some families and teachers, but it remains in its discussion phase, and was to have been presented to the Rockbridge County School Board at its meeting last night.
Assistant Principal Shaun Sparks, who will become principal in January, outlined the concept in a letter to families last week.
“Over the past few years,” Sparks wrote, “we have heard how life can feel increasingly busy and, at times, overwhelming. Concerns have been shared about a noticeable rise in mental and behavioral health challenges … These realities underscore the need to create a school structure that better supports student well-being, learning, and growth.”
Under a 4x4 block schedule, students would take four classes per semester, each lasting about 80–90 minutes, completing eight courses over a school year instead of seven. Advanced Placement (AP) courses would continue to run for the full school year in most cases.
Sparks said that with fewer transitions in the school day, the model could “enhance student focus,” “reduce daily stress,” and “provide better balance for school, extracurricular activities, employment, and life outside the classroom.”
Superintendent Phillip Thompson said the proposal is part of a long-running conversation at the high school about how to best structure instructional time.
“The idea of exploring alternative scheduling models and researching their potential benefits at RCHS has been discussed off and on for nearly two decades,” Thompson said. “More recently, discussions began last year about how our students and staff members could benefit from a transition such as this.”
Thompson said Sparks would formally present the plan to the School Board at its October meeting last night, but no action would be taken at that time. “It is important that we ensure that families, staff, and students have opportunities to learn about the model, ask questions, and provide input as we move through this proposal,” he said.
An informational meeting for parents and guardians is scheduled for Monday, October 20, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the RCHS auditorium, where families can hear details and ask questions.
Thompson said the division welcomes feedback before any decisions are made.
“Feedback from parents, teachers, students, and the broader community is an important part of this process,” he said. “We understand that no single schedule will be perfect for every student because every scheduling model comes with its own advantages and challenges. Our goal is to identify the model that best meets the needs of the vast majority of our students, staff, and families.”
The superintendent also acknowledged the communication issues that led to confusion earlier this month, when some students and parents heard about the possible schedule change before receiving official notice.
“A handful of staff members took it upon themselves to prematurely share the information with their students and, in the process, shared some inaccurate information,” Thompson said. “This was unfortunate and did cause some angst and confusion when students went home to share what they had heard with their parents.”
He said Sparks’s letter was sent soon afterward to provide accurate details and to invite families to the upcoming meeting.
“Sometimes, information circulates before formal communication is available,” Thompson added. “When official updates are delayed, the resulting information vacuum can allow inaccuracies from the rumor mill or social media to spread. Our focus now is on clarifying information, providing accurate details, and ensuring that families have opportunities to engage.”
Sparks emphasized in his letter that the shift, if approved, would not take effect until fall 2026, and that administrators are “meeting with staff in each department to gather feedback, answer questions, and ensure that the transition is thoughtful and well-supported.”
The proposal, Thompson said, is meant to address both academic and mental health needs. “Research and experience suggest that block scheduling can provide notable mental and behavioral benefits for both students and staff,” he said, citing longer instructional periods for active learning and greater flexibility for acquiring class credits.
For now, the 4x4 schedule remains a proposal, not a plan set in motion. “We’re still in the stage of listening and learning,” Thompson said. “No decision has been made.”
