Over the past few years, the school’s support system has gone through several changes, and many students have noticed the difference. Support periods, designed to give students extra help with classes, used to be available more frequently and consistently throughout the day. For students who rely on these periods to clarify concepts or get ahead on assignments, the adjustments to both the schedule and the 5-Star sign up system have brought some challenges.

During the 2023- 2024 school year, support periods were built into the schedule at the end of every class for 30 minutes, except on Mondays. Mondays followed a full six-period rotation, while Tuesdays and Thursdays were odd period days and Wednesdays and Fridays were even period days. This allowed students to seek help shortly after learning new material, making support easier to use when it was most needed.

In the 2024-2025 school year, the support schedule changed significantly. Support was limited to the end of fifth and sixth periods on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, and that schedule has continued this year. Upperclassmen are allowed to leave campus at the end of the school day, which coincides with the start of these support periods. Although they are permitted to stay on campus for support if they choose, underclassmen – who do not have the same flexibility – are more directly affected by the limited windows for support.

While students have the ability to choose which support class to attend using the 5-Star system, many argue that the advance sign-up requirement remains challenging. Unlike previous schedules, students now must select their support class in advance, often a week ahead of time. 

This can make it difficult to predict which class they will need help with on a given day, particularly when assignments or quizzes are announced last minute. Academic needs can change unexpectedly. Students might get sick, have to make up a quiz, or realize they need help on an assignment only after the lesson. Because of these unpredictable circumstances, some students feel the current system does not match the reality of their day to day schoolwork. Even with the ability to choose a support class, the requirement to pre-plan can make it challenging to get help when it is actually needed.

“I think the concept of support periods are very effective, but the whole 5-Star sign-up a week before just does not make sense. It is so complicated for no reason,” said CHS junior Isabel Beddows.

Over the past few years, students in different grade levels have experienced the support system differently, with schedules and expectations changing from year to year. Some believe it can be confusing to keep track of when support periods are available and how the 5-Star system works, especially when the timing and structure of support periods have shifted multiple times in recent years.

“I have trouble figuring out where I need to go for support each week. It is time consuming and it does not always match up with what I actually need help with that day,” said CHS junior Shaya Bakhshi.

More flexibility would allow students to get help when they truly need it, making support periods more effective for everyone.