Our New Schedule
Introducing A New Schedule for Rivers
After a year of work centering student needs through design thinking and empathy research, we are thrilled to unveil a revised schedule that will launch in September 2026. This process was led by a cross-divisional steering committee and a design team of professional community members, using Rivers’ updated strategic plan, mission, and core values to guide decision-making.
Why Now?
THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Our last schedule redesign was 15 years ago, and our students' needs have evolved since then. Through our recent AISNE self-study and student shadowing, we identified critical pinch points that were impacting learning. The team leaned on a set of design principles derived from in-depth learning about the needs of our community from the schedule.
Our last schedule redesign was 15 years ago, and our students' needs have evolved since then. Through our recent AISNE self-study and student shadowing, we identified critical pinch points that were impacting learning. The team leaned on a set of design principles derived from in-depth learning about the needs of our community from the schedule.
The Big Picture
WHAT'S CHANGING
We’re improving how students experience the day, without sacrificing space for learning, growth, and community.
We’re improving how students experience the day, without sacrificing space for learning, growth, and community.
The Process
DESIGN THINKING APPROACH
Design thinking is a human-centered, iterative approach to problem-solving that prioritizes user needs to develop innovative, feasible, and sustainable solutions. Working with experts in design thinking from the educational consultancy firm Leadership+Design, we followed a step-wise approach in building our new schedule.
Design thinking is a human-centered, iterative approach to problem-solving that prioritizes user needs to develop innovative, feasible, and sustainable solutions. Working with experts in design thinking from the educational consultancy firm Leadership+Design, we followed a step-wise approach in building our new schedule.
How Will It Work?
A DAY DESIGNED FOR LEARNING
We redesigned the school day to create a balanced flow, mixing space for deep learning in class with time to explore interests, connect with peers, and get support throughout the day.
We redesigned the school day to create a balanced flow, mixing space for deep learning in class with time to explore interests, connect with peers, and get support throughout the day.
A BETTER RHYTHM FOR LEARNING
In moving to alternating long-block days, we are expanding the block rotation to span two weeks: Week A and Week B. This rotation enables every class to meet on an every-other-school-day rhythm.
In moving to alternating long-block days, we are expanding the block rotation to span two weeks: Week A and Week B. This rotation enables every class to meet on an every-other-school-day rhythm.
Wins From the New Schedule
KEY CONNECTIONS
The new schedule is centered on the needs of our students. It was built to create opportunities for deep learning, time to explore their interests, and space to connect.
Chris Dalton, dean of academics and institutional research
We focused deeply on the student experience, then iteratively designed to address their actual needs—not just the constraints of a grid.
What’s Next?
We’ll be sharing tools with students this summer and into the fall to help students plan for the new schedule and think ahead to work effectively over time—something our new schedule should make easier next year.
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