On the evening of Oct. 1, 2024, students opened their emails to a controversial announcement sent out by the district. LWSD Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen announced the implementation of a shift from seven period schedules to six period schedules for the 2025-2026 school year. Due to lack of funding after several data analyzations, the recommendation of this schedule change was put in action by Dr. Holmen to cut costs and save money.
In a video statement, Dr. Holmen introduced the aspects of daily schedules, 0 and 7 period classes, as well as additional options and opportunities like summer courses and outside of school credits. Exact details of block schedules, Wolf Times, et cetera are still unclear.
Several students express disappointment towards this schedule change mostly because it limits their number of electives. A 7 period schedule over four years meant that students could take 28 total classes in school and have 4 extra credits to graduate. However, as these graduation requirements are set by the state, students now must pass every class they take. 6 period schedules for four years add up to exactly 24 credits, meaning they can’t fail any classes or take an extra elective to meet graduation requirements.
“High school is all about exploring our interests and with the new six period schedule, that takes three classes out of our high school journey,” freshman Aadhya Srinivasan said in an interview. “We only have one class next year to actually explore what we want to do for our career.”
Some students show concern over how this lack of classes could affect their transcripts, as junior Kevin Yu said, “You can’t max on APs that much.”
This adjustment also disrupts many students’ high school plans, as many have been set since their freshman year. A class they might have anticipated to take in their high school career will not be on the table for them in the future. Junior Layan Albaridi said, “I had a list of seven classes I wanted to do and now that it’s only six and it’s going to be my senior year, I won’t get to everything I wanted which is super disappointing because I’ve had this planned out since freshman year.”
Furthermore, the arts and music department would likely be adjusted to 0 periods due to lack of space to fit in the school day. In order to graduate, students will have to wake up earlier to take a music class before school, or drop the course to fit in graduation requirements. Now they won’t have a chance to take electives they enjoy, taking away from their overall high school experience.
“I’m not going to be able to take orchestra that [next] year,” sophomore Vivian Gu said, reflecting on the future of Eastlake’s music program. “I wasn’t even planning on going to Boston this year, but looks like it’s my only chance now.” Freshman Jian Lee adds, “If we get to choose less electives, meaning we won’t have as many opportunities to try different classes like we could before, so I don’t want our schedule to be changed.”
