High school and middle school drop the 8-period day for a new hybrid schedule

What happened

The board approved a new hybrid schedule for Clarke County High School on January 12, 2026 and for Johnson-Williams Middle School on February 23, 2026. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays keep eight short periods. On Wednesdays and Thursdays students take four longer classes.

Why it matters to families

Every middle and high school student's week changes starting in 2026-27. The superintendent said the old 8-period day had teachers teaching more class periods than state rules allow without extra pay, and for the past three years the division had not been in compliance.

The evidence

The approved February 23, 2026 minutes record a unanimous vote to adopt the hybrid scheduling model at the middle school and note that the hybrid model was already approved at the high school. The January 12, 2026 minutes record the high school vote and the superintendent's explanation of the 25-class-period state limit (8VAC20-132-230).

The source