When students choose their schedules, they have the opportunity to take blocked classes. Blocked classes are two integrated classes where students meet daily which typically consist of social studies and English classes combined. These blocked classes help students and various ways and here is why blocked classes should be the go to move when choosing your schedule.

Sophomore Aidan Yeager took on level government and English nine his freshman year and currently takes the AP World Studies Block. He explained how an on-level differed to a rigorous AP class. “It’s definitely been harder, it’s been a lot more work, a lot more homework, and a lot more stuff to study for,” Yeager said.

Yeager also explained how the transition helped him. “It actually pushed me to use notes a lot better, it taught me to be more responsible and gave me a first look on what college is going to be like,” he said.

Sophomore Amaya Daniels, token AP blocked classes for two years and explained how the blocked classes help her. “I think it makes it more beneficial to people who aren’t really strong in one class, like English, since it is incorporated throughout the teaching of history and government,” Daniels explained. “It just makes it a lot easier. I think when it comes to writing essays, it’s easier when you write about history or government instead of taking a full on class where you read about a topic that does not relate to any of the other classes you’re in.”

Susie Adams, a teacher for the AP U.S. History/AP English Language and Composition Block, also explained how blocked classes can be helpful. “I feel like the blocked classes are beneficial to students because they meet on a daily basis, and so there is more consistency with turning in homework. You also see your teachers everyday and so you can ask a lot more questions. It just provides a lot of structure for kids,” Adams said.

Adams also added that she thinks students should not view the blocked classes as scary. “The thing that I think they are not really aware of is that if they took my [AP U.S. History class] at a college level, they would take it in a semester, and I’m able to spread that content over a year. So I’m able to go slower than a traditional college class,” she said. “I’m able to also offer retakes, and revisions, and allow for all of the ways students can relearn information. At a college level, you can’t do that.”

Adams recommends students to take blocked classes since she thinks it is beneficial to students. “I would recommend the blocked class regardless because, first of all, there are two teachers, so you have more support,” she said. “If you are struggling an area it’s a lot easier for a teacher to work with a small group while the rest of the class is getting a different part of the lesson and so I think that’s really beneficial to kids.”
If you’re a student that wants to challenge themselves or prefer a larger class environment, a potential option when choosing your courses are the blocked classes.