Next year’s refreshed bell schedule promises increased social time and new ways to decrease academic stress.

Starting in the 2024-25 school year, Walsh Jesuit High School is rolling out a new daily schedule aimed at boosting student engagement and reducing stress. This plan includes some major tweaks to the school day structure that will affect everyone.

“This updated schedule is crafted to align with our strategic goals of enhancing student and faculty well-being and maximizing educational outcomes,” shared Principal Sean Lynch.

The new schedule will shift the start of the school day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., while the end time will move from 2:40 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. This change is designed to ease the traffic congestion around the school, considering the 7:50 a.m. start time of nearby Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and the anticipated road construction on Wyoga Lake.

“The later start not only helps with the traffic—it also gives us a bit more time in the morning to get ready, which is a plus for my sleep schedule,” shared junior Colt Crosley.

The new ‘Warrior Wednesdays’ will introduce a 41-minute student formation period each Wednesday, built into the day. This session is designed for student clubs, wellness activities, and more, developing a community spirit and individual growth according to information shared by the Principal’s office.

“Warrior Wednesdays seems like it could be really beneficial to the clubs here. Kids usually leave school and miss meetings, but with the meeting time built into the school day, they will still be here,” remarked junior Tommy Mercer. As president of the Chess Club, Tommy continued, “This could be a real asset to building the kind of participation that our extracurriculars need.”

Additionally, once per month, the school will operate on a delayed start schedule to accommodate extended faculty meetings. This change allows for a 100-minute period dedicated to teacher collaboration on curriculum development and professional growth, ensuring that faculty have the time necessary to plan and improve student learning experiences.

“Having a regular, dedicated time for more collaboration should enhance our teaching strategies. Without everyone having free periods at the same time, it’s hard to talk and get other people’s opinions on lessons. Hopefully this change addresses that need,” said English teacher Ms. Wyss.

The school’s administration has planned these schedule adjustments carefully, considering the impact on after-school activities, including sports and part-time jobs.

“I guess that I am most concerned with the traffic situation after school. It’s pretty bad right now, but moving our end time into like the same 5-minute window with CVCA could take things to a whole new level of insanity out there,” noted junior Noah Pellegrini, echoing a common concern among students. Classmate Tommy Mercer is concerned the gridlock could impact his afterschool job, “it seems like they didn’t consider that some kids have obligations to work, I don’t want to be unprofessional when it comes to punctuality.”

With a focus on improving the daily lives of its students and staff, WJ is looking forward to implementing these changes. The school also said that it is committed to monitoring the effects of the new schedule and making adjustments as needed. To learn more, readers may also visit a Frequently Asked Questions page or reach out to the principal’s office.

“We’re excited about these changes and are committed to ensuring they provide the maximum benefit to our school community. It’s all about adapting to better meet the unique needs of our students and faculty in today’s world,” concluded Principal Lynch.