Perhaps one of the most wide-reaching decisions a school leader makes is that of the master schedule. The schedule is a tool leaders can use to design unique and creative programming specific to their school and their students. It is the one thing that truly affects everyone.

In the middle school setting, effective school leaders recognize that learning happens both within and beyond the school day and the school walls. The master schedule may make use of evidence-based structures that support young adolescent learning, including:

👥 Interdisciplinary teams of two or more teachers working with a common group of students for a shared block of time.

⏱️ A block schedule that provides large and flexible amounts of time for active and meaningful learning opportunities that are appropriate for this age group. This might include opportunities for project-based learning, service learning, expeditionary learning, community-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and other experiential approaches.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Regularly scheduled times when students have the opportunity to interact with a small group of peers and a teacher-advisor to build relationships, engage in social-emotional or executive functioning skill building, and discuss school and personal concerns. This is also known as Middle School Advisory.

🔄 Flexible groupings of students that prevent academic tracking.

While these structures are hallmarks of the middle school model, there is no “one size fits all” approach. Instead, it is important for each school to design a schedule that is ideal for their students, staff, and entire learning community. To do so, AMLE recommends schools reflect on their vision and mission and develop the core beliefs, or non-negotiables, that will drive their master schedule. For more on developing a high-functioning middle school schedule, consult The Successful Middle School Schedule.