A Blend of 50-Minute and 100-Minute Classes

In the upcoming 2025-26 school year, Luther College will be introducing a new hybrid block schedule. This new schedule will allow both students and teachers to benefit from a wider variety of instructional practices and class activities.

Currently, our daily class schedule consists of six 50-minute class periods. Beginning in September 2025, our daily schedule will still continue to have 50-minute classes on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, but we will be introducing 100-minute (or double-block) classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On each of these double-block days, students will attend only three of their six classes: Periods 2, 5, 8 on Tuesdays; and Periods 3, 6, 9 on Wednesdays.

We will continue to have a 25-minute chapel period mid-morning and a 50-minute lunch period for all students.

Schedule Examples

Why We’re Moving to a Hybrid Block Schedule

The primary reason that Luther is introducing this new hybrid block schedule is to provide the benefits of two different period lengths. Some subjects like Phys Ed, Sciences, and Fine Arts are more hands-on, and better suited to longer class periods, while other subjects are more suited to slowly building concepts piece by piece. A number of years ago, Luther conducted a short trial of 100-minute classes; during this trial, many teachers expressed an interest in having a blend of shorter and longer classes. As a result, this new hybrid block schedule is designed to take advantage of both shorter and longer period lengths.

There are a number of key benefits that longer 100-minute classes offer to students and teachers:

• Reduced Student and Teacher Movement: On double-block days, students will spend less time moving between classes; students will have fewer books to carry around and the longer classes will be followed by extended breaks (at chapel, lunch, and after-school).
• Reduced Daily Cognitive Load: With only three classes on double-block days, students will have only three lessons on which to focus, instead of the usual six.
• Potential for Increased Depth of Learning: With longer classes, students and teachers will spend less time per class on set-up and set-down activities. Teachers have more time to activate previous learning, model techniques, and ensure that student learning transfers from short-term to long-term memory. Students have more time to practice, discuss, and collaborate, to revise and improve work, and to apply their knowledge to other contexts.
• Potential for More Student Engagement: The greater variety of activities offered by longer classes has potential for more engagement between teachers and students or between students in smaller group activities.

Have Questions?

Of course, any change brings about challenges, such as ensuring student focus and concentration, and impacts of student absences. However, we are confident this new hybrid block schedule offers many potential benefits.

If you have any questions please call 306-791-9150 or email principal@luthercollege.edu.