Zero Period Classes Grow in Size and Popularity
Optional period provides more time and opportunities for both teacher and student schedules
By Natalie Sarsfield
Optional period provides more time and opportunities for both teacher and student schedules
By Natalie Sarsfield
From dance team to physiology and even A.P. Spanish, Pioneer has been regularly adding more zero period classes since they first introduced them in the 2014-15 school year. Since then, they have continued to gain popularity among both students and staff.
By 2018, there were 11 zero period classes. According to registrar Karen Mattos, last year, there were 13 classes, comprised of 413 students. This year, there are 15 classes with 450 students. While this offers options and benefits to students and teachers, there have been some concerns raised.
A.P. Calculus teacher Patrick Bernhardt balances his teaching with his position as President of the San José Teacher’s Association. Bernhardt currently only teaches one class, zero period A.P. Calculus AB.
“My first year as president, I taught a second period class and while I think that worked, it meant that there were a pretty good variety of morning meetings that I constantly had to schedule around,” said Bernhadrt. “(Now with) zero period, I’m able to navigate conflicts much more easily.”
For students like Grace Kenyon, 10, zero periods allow for extra time afterschool to squeeze in extracurriculars alongside academics.
“I take two hours a day playing water polo so having that extra hour to do homework helps me to balance my schoolwork and athletics,” said Kenyon.
Despite the popularity of zero periods, the yearly additions to the period have raised some concerns from staff in creating the master schedule.
“One concern that the school had when we talked some years ago about creating more variation was a potential loss of community, as people may not all be on campus at the same time,” said Bernhardt. “I haven’t perceived that, but the shift in with the zero period has not been so dramatic. There’s still a pretty good core overlap. Everybody’s still there for rallies and anybody who needs to participate in something at lunch is usually there.”
Assistant Principal of Instruction Brendan Simon is responsible for helping to build the master schedule and feels that zero periods are beneficial for both students and staff.
“It adds more preference, if you ask me. We try to accommodate teachers and students but there’s also a master schedule at play,” said Simon. “There’s a lot of components. I usually go by grade level first and then I’ll set those classes and make the master schedule around that.”
By 2018, there were 11 zero period classes. According to registrar Karen Mattos, last year, there were 13 classes, comprised of 413 students. This year, there are 15 classes with 450 students. While this offers options and benefits to students and teachers, there have been some concerns raised.
A.P. Calculus teacher Patrick Bernhardt balances his teaching with his position as President of the San José Teacher’s Association. Bernhardt currently only teaches one class, zero period A.P. Calculus AB.
“My first year as president, I taught a second period class and while I think that worked, it meant that there were a pretty good variety of morning meetings that I constantly had to schedule around,” said Bernhadrt. “(Now with) zero period, I’m able to navigate conflicts much more easily.”
For students like Grace Kenyon, 10, zero periods allow for extra time afterschool to squeeze in extracurriculars alongside academics.
“I take two hours a day playing water polo so having that extra hour to do homework helps me to balance my schoolwork and athletics,” said Kenyon.
Despite the popularity of zero periods, the yearly additions to the period have raised some concerns from staff in creating the master schedule.
“One concern that the school had when we talked some years ago about creating more variation was a potential loss of community, as people may not all be on campus at the same time,” said Bernhardt. “I haven’t perceived that, but the shift in with the zero period has not been so dramatic. There’s still a pretty good core overlap. Everybody’s still there for rallies and anybody who needs to participate in something at lunch is usually there.”
Assistant Principal of Instruction Brendan Simon is responsible for helping to build the master schedule and feels that zero periods are beneficial for both students and staff.
“It adds more preference, if you ask me. We try to accommodate teachers and students but there’s also a master schedule at play,” said Simon. “There’s a lot of components. I usually go by grade level first and then I’ll set those classes and make the master schedule around that.”