Scheduling for Success

Royal Oaks Elementary School (ROES) has piloted a new schedule model this school year. Each Wednesday is now dedicated solely to Science, AVID, Social Studies and Health (SASH). In previous years, these subjects were incorporated into the curriculum each day in much smaller time frames. 

Now, teachers focus on their core instruction (reading, writing and math) on the other four days of the week and use Wednesdays to delve further into SASH subjects. This new schedule supports the larger system shift, creating dedicated ‘What I Need’ (WIN) time each day for all students to access reading interventions, special services or enrichment.

This structure ensures that targeted support happens consistently across all grade levels, working to close achievement gaps and supporting all ROES students. The decision was driven by initiatives from the Minnesota READ Act and the leadership group at ROES' willingness to embrace educational innovation. 

“This was a big change for our school, but if you want different results, you have to do things differently,” said ROES principal Jennifer Marty.

Principal Marty, along with her building leadership team and reading specialists, designed a rotating schedule that groups students by their skill tier in each grade level. Teachers in each grade level host a subject and students travel between rooms to receive instruction.

“I think it helps keep things fresh,” says second-grade teacher Pamela Shanley. “The kids come in excited to learn on SASH days and that excited energy sets the tone; everyone is ready to learn and way more invested.”

The change to the schedule allows teachers to go more in-depth on SASH days into topics they generally wouldn’t have time for in previous years. Instead of fragmented minutes on a subject each week, students get a full lesson.

“I like being able to do fun experiments,” said fifth-grader Eliza Grundahl. “We learned about simple machines and pushed Colton [a fellow student] around the room with a lever on a stick.”

“I liked learning more about the different governments and having time to ask more questions about it, said fifth-grader Makhi Baker. 

“The real beauty of this change is the WIN time,” says Principal Marty. “Being able to have this dedicated personalized instruction time starting at these young ages has been a game changer.”

The newly implemented WIN time provides individualized and tailored instruction for students based on their need level. A student who struggles can discover their confidence and voice in a space with peers who need the same level of support. Students who perform above grade level can extend their learning, stretching themselves beyond their core instruction. 

“When students are frustrated, it is harder for them to learn,” says fifth-grade teacher Trever Anderson. “Having WIN time that is meeting students where they are, we are lessening that frustration and working to close those achievement gaps that are caused by it.”

“We work on what we need most,” says fifth grader Copelyn Kluge. “We also get to know other people in our grade.”

The ROES team meets bi-monthly to reassess their data and change their student groupings as students start to excel or need more support. While the data is still being collected, the initial metrics at ROES are promising. Early reading assessments show accelerated growth among students and attendance on Wednesdays is notably high. However, the staff measures success in more than just numbers.

“It is all connected,” says ROES Reading Specialist Audra Pruitt. “When kids build their skills, they become more confident and that transformation is beautiful to see.”

The model does require significant coordination and a shift in mindset from both teachers and students. Yet, the ROES community is embracing the challenge, viewing it as an investment in a more equitable and engaging learning environment. 

“We’re not claiming to have found the one perfect schedule for every school,” Principal Marty concludes. “But we have found what works for our students right now. We’re meeting them where they are, giving them the time and focus they need to grow. In education, that’s the win that matters most. I am so proud of the work our team is doing.”