By Fox23.com News Staff
JENKS, Okla. — The Jenks Public Schools Board of Education approved a block schedule for four district campuses and early dismissal on Fridays for Pre-K through 6th grade students.
Jenks Public Schools said the changes were approved at the board’s regular meeting on Monday night in the Education Service Center Board Room.
Jenks High School, Jenks Alternative Center, Jenks Freshman Academy and Jenks Middle School will operate on the block schedule.
The district said over the past three years, before new legislation eliminating distance learning/district collaboration days, secondary leaders have been reviewing scheduling options that provide more choices and flexibility for students.
Leaders identified an A/B block schedule as an effective structure for providing numerous opportunities and benefits for students, while also meeting the need for teacher collaboration. The new schedule provides students with a seven-period day, an increase from the current six-period day.
The district shared advantages for students and teachers with a block schedule:
- More in-school support: Built-in advisory/flex time used for academic support, interventions, tutoring, and make-up opportunities without requiring students to come early or stay late.
- Enhanced learning environments: Longer class periods allow teachers to plan for richer learning experiences such as projects, labs, inquiry-based learning, or extended practice, and still have time to offer additional help or enrichment during class.
- Balanced workload: In schools using block schedules, homework tends to be more focused and manageable because a greater portion of practice happens during the longer class blocks.
- Expanded opportunities: Improved alignment with college and career tech programs, dual credit courses, plus more flexibility for students to take additional electives and specialized courses.
Surveys were sent to parents/guardians and district employees to determine how to make up for loss of collaboration time following new Oklahoma law. Respondents were asked to share their preference for a 75-minute late start or early dismissal on Wednesdays or Fridays. Results from both groups showed a preference for early dismissal on Fridays.
The district said as elementary and intermediate school site leaders reviewed the data, they found Friday early dismissal met the need for teacher collaboration at the Pre-K through 6th grade level.
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, every Friday in a full, five-day week will use the following early dismissal schedule:
- Intermediate – 1:15 p.m.
- Elementary – 2:00 p.m.
- Pre-Kindergarten – 1:40 p.m.
The block schedule changes also go into effect in August, at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
