Block scheduling for high schools opens up more opportunities for students to take coursework that may not always fit into a traditional 6-period day. Parents and guardians of current or future students in the Areas listed below are invited to an upcoming in-person or virtual engagement sessions
San Diego Unified School District currently uses a 4x4 block schedule in 13 of our high schools. We are exploring the implementation of the 4x4 block schedule for the remainder of our comprehensive high schools, but we need your input first!
When schools implement a 4x4 block schedule, it can open up more opportunities for students to take coursework that may not always fit into a traditional 6-period day. It can also help students accelerate course completion, provide a stronger focus on learning, and create more opportunities for credit recovery.
Parents and guardians of current or future students of the following high schools in Area A are invited to attend engagement sessions during the dates and times below:
- Mira Mesa High School- September 3, 4:30-5:30pm in the Media Center
- Scripps Ranch High School - September 17, 5:30-6:30pm Virtual Meeting
Parents and guardians of current or future students of the following high schools in Area B are invited to attend engagement sessions during the dates and times below:
- Canyon Hills High School- September 10 5:30-6:30pm in the Media Center
- Patrick Henry High School - September 17, 5:30-6:30pm Virtual Meeting
Parents and guardians of current or future students of these following high schools in Area C are invited to attend engagement sessions during the dates and times below:
- Point Loma High School- September 16 5:30-6:30pm in the Library
- La Jolla and University City High Schools - September 17, 5:30-6:30pm Virtual Meeting
Share your thoughts with us before we present our phased approach for full implementation of the 4x4 block schedule to the Board of Education on Tuesday, September 30th at 5 p.m. for their consideration.
4X4 SCHEDULE: WHAT FAMILIES SHOULD KNOW
The Benefits
Acceleration and Advancement
Students can complete eight full courses per year instead of six, opening up more opportunities to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Community College dual enrollment, and/or career pathway electives that deepen their interests.
Stronger Focus on Learning
Students take fewer classes at a time, with longer instructional blocks. This means they can concentrate more deeply on each subject, engage in interactive lessons, and build stronger connections with their peers and teachers.
More Opportunities for Credit Recovery
Too often, students who fall behind in a class must wait until summer or enroll in after-school programs to catch up. With a 4x4 schedule, students can retake courses within the same school year, keeping them on track to graduate with their peers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my student still receive the same level of educational instruction?
A: Yes, except quarters are shorter than semesters, which means instruction is given in a larger block of time. Students take four classes for one quarter (approximately 9 weeks) versus six classes during one semester (approximately 18 weeks).
Q: Will my student continue to receive support for AP/IB Prep?
A: Yes, but depending on which quarters a student takes AP or IB classes, there could be a gap between when they finish the course and when they take the exam. This can be offset by providing study sessions before school, after school, or on the weekends.
Q: Will my student still be able to take part in Community College Dual Enrollment?
A: Yes, however the Community College system remains on a semester schedule, which means one community college course will be taken across two quarters. In order for students to be able to take two college courses per semester, schools will need to collaborate with their community college partners to offer classes that rotate between a Monday/Wednesday schedule and a Tuesday/Thursday schedule.
Q: If approved by the Board of Education, when would the 4x4 block schedule be implemented for my community?
A: Thirteen (13) of our high schools already use a variation of the 4x4 block schedule. The remaining eight (8) high school sites that currently have a traditional 6-period day schedule would implement the 4x4 schedule in a phased approach:
- 2025–2026: Planning, community engagement, and preparation for 4x4 transition for Canyon Hills, Madison, Mira Mesa, and Point Loma high schools.
- 2026–2027: Implementation of the 4x4 schedule at Canyon Hills, Madison, Mira Mesa, and Point Loma high schools. Planning, community engagement, and preparation for 4x4 transition for Patrick Henry High School.
- 2027–2028: Implementation of the 4x4 schedule at Henry High School. Planning, community engagement, and preparation for 4x4 transition for La Jolla, Scripps Ranch, and University City high schools.
- 2028–2029: Full implementation of the 4x4 schedule at all comprehensive San Diego Unified high schools.