University Prep’s hybrid plan is in full swing this semester, giving students the opportunity to learn on campus.
The new schedule beginning Wednesday, March 10th, enables students to attend in-person classes for a full day on a rotating schedule 2-3 times per week in the same green and blue cohorts. Students will have 95 minute class periods with a grab-and-go lunch offered by the commons cafe.
Richard Kassissieh, Head of School for Academics and Strategic Initiatives, has been working hard with the administration to develop a schedule that works well for all members of the UPrep Community.
“The goal was always to operate for a full day while still giving our students a quality education,” Kassissieh said. “We learned a lot from the trial runs and working with different schedules to see what worked best and I think we have arrived at a schedule that feels more permanent.”
Kassissieh also believes that scaling up to 95 minute class periods is a better way to accommodate students and teachers.
“95 minutes is something new for UPrep and I know is something that students might not be used to but it gives the class a lot more flexibility,” Kassissieh said. “It definitely doesn’t mean teachers talking at their students for the full class period but rather a mix of class time, asynchronous work, and smaller group work. This also allows both on-campus and online students to receive attention and engage.”
Students such as junior Carly Ragen, have been enjoying their on-campus experience thus far.
“Overall it’s been pretty positive”, Ragen said. “It is fun to be back in the classroom and it feels similar to a typical school day.”
Ragen also feels the quality of learning on campus is much higher.
“I don’t know if I am necessarily learning more, but I am definitely learning better in-person,” Ragen said. “It is a lot easier to stay focused, and feels like a much more normal learning environment than on my computer.”