By Bella ’29
This year, the Harvard-Westlake middle school campus (grades 7-9) introduced a new eight-day rotational cycle designed to create a more balanced, structured, and student-centered learning environment.
The eight blocks, labeled A through H, rotate throughout the cycle, giving every class the opportunity to meet at different times of day. Each class now meets for fifty-five minutes, and students attend five blocks per day. This shift has reduced the number of daily transitions and allows for longer periods of focused, uninterrupted instructional time. Because no class meets at the same hour every cycle, each subject benefits from a variety of time slots.
From my own experience, this rotation has changed the way the school day feels. On one day, math might be your first block, but on another day, it could be your last. I’ve noticed that this variety keeps me alert and prevents the day from becoming too predictable or draining. It’s a small shift, but it genuinely affects how I show up to each class by helping create a more even distribution of time, energy, and attention.
In addition, a central feature of the new schedule is WIN Time, short for “Whatever I Need.” This seventy-five-minute period gives students the flexibility to manage their own academic and personal needs. During WIN Time, students can eat lunch, meet with teachers, catch up on homework, or simply take a moment to socialize and recharge. For me, WIN Time has become one of the most valuable parts of my day. Quite often, I use WIN Time to study or socialize with friends.
The schedule also includes forty-five minutes dedicated to advisory, class meetings, and club/affinity group gatherings. This built-in time supports community-building and ensures students have the space to connect with peers and participate in activities that enrich their school experience. Advisory sessions help students develop crucial skills such as organization, communication, and self-advocacy–while also giving them a consistent group of peers and an advisor who supports them throughout the year.
I would say that by spreading classes across an extended cycle, the new structure leads to fewer homework assignments due all at once, more time to prepare for assignments, and a more manageable workload overall. Instead of having multiple major assignments due all on the following day, I can plan ahead more easily and put more thought into all of my work.
Taken together, these changes reflect Harvard-Westlake’s commitment to fostering deeper learning, supporting student wellness, and creating a daily rhythm that encourages both productivity and balance. The new schedule doesn’t just reorganize the school day–it reshapes the entire experience of being a Harvard-Westlake student.
