Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, most science classes will meet three times per week in a single block like other classes. 

Currently, science classes meet for 280 minutes per week on a daily basis—two full 80-minute blocks and three 40-minute blocks total. According to Dan Weidner, associate principal for academics and administrative services, only AP science classes would still meet for 280 minutes with the new plan, with all other science classes meeting for 200 minutes each week.

With this change in scheduling, students would have more space in their day to take advantage of other classes and opportunities that they might not have had the time for with the current system. The plan was supposed to go into action for the next school year, but has been postponed to give the administration more time to plan for the future by creating new opportunities for students to experience with more space in their schedules.

Chimille Tillery, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, hopes that the change in scheduling will “open some time during the day for…different types of exploration and experimentation” for students when registering for classes.

Tillery also talked about the importance of the characteristics of a New Trier High School graduate: resilient and healthy individuals, engaged and compassionate global citizens, effective and courageous communicators, creative critical thinkers, and innovative and collaborative problem solvers. Tillery stated that the goal in shortening classes is to create new opportunities that will benefit students and prepare them for life after high school.

“New Trier has been developing plans to offer more experiential and career-connected learning for students, such as universal freshman programming to explore interests and build essential skills, community- and school-based internships, seminars, and capstone projects for seniors, among other ideas,” Weidner said.

Many students at New Trier have expressed different views on this change. Some encourage the switch and are excited to see what new opportunities are to come for the future.

“Lots of people stress about not knowing what they want to do in the future after high school, and I think that this switch will give us more time to explore what we are passionate about,” sophomore Kiera Ng said.

Other students feel that there is a “fleeting” focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at New Trier and are worried about future consequences if there is less time for science classes.

“I worry that students in science classes will end up with more homework because of less class time, and that classes will get through less material throughout the year,” Sophomore Myles Wood said. “STEM is the future, and by limiting the ability for students to engage with STEM, it limits their futures.”