Wilmette SD 39 committee outlines 5–8 schedule changes, targets 50% core instruction

Presenters for Wilmette School District 39's 5–8 scheduling committee outlined proposed changes to middle-school schedules on April 15, saying the plan aims to shift instructional time so core academics occupy about half the school day and to create structured SEL and intervention time.

The committee's presenter said the group's priorities include "social emotional learning time. We wanted at least 40 minutes, 1 to 2 days a week, dedicated to teaching core lessons from a social emotional learning curriculum." She added that the committee seeks to make core academics (English language arts, math, science, social studies) at least 50% of the school day.

On specific allocations, presenters said Highcrest would see math increase from 40 minutes to 60 minutes to allow deeper collaboration and sense-making, while fifth-grade lunch might be lengthened (to roughly 45 minutes) to ease the transition from elementary school. For Wilmette Junior High School (grades 7–8), presenters described a range of minute allocations (for example, math set between 50–60 minutes) and retained reading and writing blocks to keep those subjects integrated.

The presenters said the committee partnered with the District Management Group (DMG) and used the institute's guidance to define "must-haves" and time-allocation principles. "If you can get core academics to 50%, that is aligned with priorities that [DMG] would set forward," a presenter said, citing DMG's best-practice target.

Board members praised the committee's work but flagged implementation challenges. One board member asked whether moving to 50% core time represented a historical change; presenters said current calculations for some grades are around 48–49.85% and that 50% was a target informed by consultant guidance. Presenters emphasized the need for clearly defined SEL/intervention structures, curricular supports for teachers when math time increases, and careful planning around special education IEP minutes and instrumental-music scheduling.

The committee proposed implementing schedule changes in 2025 to allow a year for master scheduling, logistical planning, staff support, and communication with families. Presenters said they will continue refining minute ranges, finalize how intervention time will operate in practice, and return to the board with updates.

Implementation and next steps: the district will work on master schedules and staffing logistics, define the structure and expectations for SEL/intervention time, and bring periodic updates to the board as work continues toward a 2025 rollout.