The Learning Curve: Three San Diego Unified High Schools Transition to 4×4

Two weeks ago, San Diego Unified’s board meeting was beset by educators and families pissed about a wonky change the district was attempting to push though – changing high school schedules.

The board was supposed to vote on whether to transition four schools from a traditional six-period schedule to a 4×4, or block schedule. Under a 4×4 schedule the academic calendar is split into two halves, during which students take four classes at a time.

The schedule allows students to take two additional classes per year, opening up the potential for students to take up to eight additional classes during their time in high school. That could mean students take more electives or college courses or even career and technical courses. Those extra courses are important for the district’s larger goals of