Beginning this school year, first semester finals will now be divided into two sections, one before winter break and one after winter break. The mathematics, foreign language and science finals will be held before winter break, while all other finals will take place after the break.  A group of local high school parents brought this issue to the school board because they were concerned about their children’s ability to retain information during the winter break.

The idea of splitting up the winter was based on the current finals schedule that Agoura High school has put into effect.  AHS students took the mathematics finals before winter break for the past few years, and administrators noticed an increase in test scores.  Originally, AHS faculty wanted to have all finals before winter break, but that would cause schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District to start significantly earlier in the summer, which concerned elementary school parents because of the heat.  Eventually, a compromise was reached.

“Hopefully kids will feel that they really have more of a break and they can focus more on [the remaining three finals],” said Principal C.J. Foss.

The schedule for the finals will be much different than it has been in the previous years.  This year, instead of having half days for finals, the tests will be administered during the traditional block periods.

Members of the math, foreign language and science departments volunteered to have their finals before winter break.  Because of this change, some classes will have a shorter first semester.  The math, foreign language and science classes will start their second semester as soon as winter break concludes.  Though the schedule for finals will be different for the winter semester, finals for the spring semester will not change.