Honestly, I’ve always prided Sion in its seven-classes-per-day schedule. To me, it was just another attribute that made Sion a prestigious, college-prep high school.

Yes, the system means more homework each night. And yes, it means sitting through seven lectures each day. But that’s what makes Sion rigorous. And that’s a good thing in my eyes.

So when I heard that counselors and teachers were considering block scheduling, my mouth dropped open and my face flushed. My very own high school was turning to the dark side?

Here was my knowledge about block scheduling (I admit it’s a bit stereotypical): public schools use it, Rockhurst doesn’t, it means barely any homework and classes are over an hour long. None of those facts screamed “Yes, let’s do it!” in my ears.

I had also only been familiar with one type of block scheduling: a student has four 90-minute class periods per day, so on Day A she goes through classes 1, 3, 5, and 7 and on Day B she goes through classes 2, 4, 6, and study hall. The week rotates between Days A and B.

My thoughts: Yes, longer classes would be helpful for science labs, group projects and publication classes. But what about math and foreign language? These classes, in my opinion, rely on daily practice. And who could sit through a 90-minute math lecture? Some might say that math teachers wouldn’t teach the whole hour, but instead leave half the class for working on homework. But doesn’t that mean overall the teacher has less instruction time?

And this plan means a student only has four class periods of homework each night. May sound like a dream to some, but for me, that takes away from a high school’s prestige.

But my opinion on block scheduling has changed slightly, however. Here’s what I didn’t realize – Sion was never considering implementing a full block schedule. Instead, teachers and counselors have come up with a modified block schedule. And it’s growing on me.

Three days a week will be normal, seven-class days. My type of schedule. Then, one day a week (let’s say Wednesday) we will only go through periods 1, 3, 5 and 7. They will be 90 minutes long. On Thursday we will have classes 2, 4, 6, and “community time” – a 90 minute block for clubs, study halls and teacher time.

In sum, only two days a week will be blocked. The rest of the week will be normal. I guess I can handle that.

It’s not that I still don’t have questions. I’m still not sure how math classes will be able to cover the same amount of material. I still can’t imagine that every minute of the 90-minute period will be productive.

But two nights a week the homework load will undoubtedly be smaller – a chance to catch up or work ahead. And two days a week teachers can plan effective labs, group projects or longer activities.

I can’t say I’m sold, but I’m not dead-set against it anymore. And a modified block schedule for Sion is not set in stone by any means. Actually, come April the entire student body will run through a “sample week” to see how we like it.

Who knows? Maybe then I’ll decide that I can pride myself in this type of schedule, too. I mean, 90-minute class periods do sound pretty impressive. This new system just might be the best of both worlds. This dark side just might be gaining a stream of light.