After having an eight period day for the past three years, both Cotter high and junior high schools will be returning to a seven period day for the 2014-15 school year.

When Cotter decided to switch to eight period days the primary purpose was to combine and coordinate the junior high and high school on the same schedule. The junior high had always functioned on an eight period day schedule and the high school on seven. The school decided to synchronize the schedules to allow teachers to teach at both levels and students to move up if they were advanced in a math course.

There are pros and cons to switching back to seven period days. Classes will be longer and teachers will be able to go more in depth with their classes, but students will have slightly smaller choice of electives.  Cotter has always focused on core classes, so the decision to go to seven periods may help strengthen those courses.  The other downside might be students who want more electives, particularly in the arts, will have to make tough choices regarding what courses they want.

This important decision for Cotter was made by the administration and school board for Cotter. They thought that having eight period days is a lot to handle especially if students  are taking a number  AP classes.

Classes will still begin and end at the same time at this year (8:20-3:22).

As a student at Cotter, I am pleased we will be switching back to seven period days. I like the idea of having one less class, having eight periods can become very stressful to some students and makes it hard to get everything done on time. The only part of seven period days I am displeased with is that most students  will no longer having study halls, which allow busy students to get some of their work done during the day.

Going back to seven period days should  be a smooth transition, I am interested to see how it works.