Student Schedules Are Completed!!!

Thanks to all for your patience as we worked through the creation of our brand new block schedule for next year.  We're excited to share that our conflict rate, percent of students whose class requests can't be honored due to conflicts in the schedule, is down 20%, and AP course access is up almost 10%!

These are great initial projections from our new schedule giving students more access to the classes they need and request.  

Students will have a course change window starting at the end of August for any remaining conflicts.  Counselors are not available over the summer for schedule changes.

Thank you and we're looking forward to next year!

Military Recognition Ceremony

Congratulations to the Seniors listed below for their commitment to serve in the military following their AHS graduation! They were honored at a Military Recognition Presentation Wednesday, May 23 during the AHS Veterans Spaghetti Dinner.  Families and military personnel were also present for the event. Thank you for your commitment to the service of our military and country!

Ray Gulmatico - Coast Guard Academy 

Nick Kreitlow - Marines

Bryce Lau - Marines

Braden Stechner - Army

Josh Staus - Air Force Academy (not pictured, unable to attend) 

New Bell Schedule for 2024-25 School Year

For the past several years, Arrowhead has been exploring schedule change options that optimize student opportunities and provide systemic academic support for all students. After two publicly held Board workshops and several committee meetings of discussion, the Arrowhead School Board approved a new schedule for 2024-25 at the November 8, 2023 School Board meeting.

Our current 10-period day, created in the 1970s, has evolved over the years to include 40 minute, 60 minute, A/B Block (every other day) and everyday block classes. The schedule no longer fits the learning needs of all students to increase growth and achievement for all. The Board and Administration, based on extensive reviews of high-performing area districts, believe we can serve students better in a A/B block schedule with a resource period.

Parent and student survey responses (2022)  provided valuable information, and also identified some key misconceptions and misunderstandings about the A/B Block model.  The information below should clarify what the new schedule will look like.

Resource Period

• Resource period will provide students access to teachers for support, enrichment, and connection on a daily basis. For students who do not need to see a teacher on any given day, the resource period can serve as a study hall.  The resource period will be required attendance, unless stated by administration that certain grade levels are excused.

• When a student is absent, the daily resource period will support students who missed class.  Missing one day in a block schedule also means students do not miss any class time for half of their classes, as opposed to missing EVERY class under the current model.  Further, the Canvas Learning Management System assists students with knowing what was taught in addition to providing access to resources/materials.

A/B Block Structure

• A/B block  provides students with the opportunity to take up to four classes a day on A days and up to four classes a day on B days (8 classes each semester).

• We believe it is in our students’ best interests to take a study hall each semester, however students may still enroll in 8 classes per semester. 

• Students who wish to participate in FSO (Flexible Schedule Option) may still do so.  The schedule for FSO will likely be every other day. 

• Students will have academic core classes (English, Math, Social Studies, Science) all year. 

• ALL AP courses will continue to have instructional minutes that exceed the College Board recommended minutes for instruction.

• Some elective classes/required classes that are currently one semester will remain so while year long classes will remain year long.

Learning in the Block

• 85 minute classes will be divided into “chunks” of time, improving upon already well-designed lessons by our teachers. Block lessons provide ample time for review of previous lessons, guided practice, deeper “dives” into content, group work, active “hands on” learning, independent support and intervention. 

• The block of time supports building strong literacy skills, which is a focus of our continuous improvement plan.  

• Teachers will not be lecturing for 85 minutes. The A/B block supports deeper learning as opposed to mere coverage of topics.

• The data from throughout the state of Wisconsin, as we have analyzed school achievement and schedules, shows several of the school districts that outperform AHS currently have a form of block schedule with a resource period.

• The A/B block schedule does NOT mean less opportunities for students. We can maintain course options and many students will be able to take more classes because there will be less course conflicts in scheduling. Students can continue to take 7, 7.5 or 8 classes a semester.

For more detailed information regarding the schedule, please review the FAQ.

Additionally, we will hold an informational meeting about the schedule on December 13, 2023 from 5-6:30 in the South Campus Library. 

As partners in education, we have the same goals for our students – we want them to achieve at the highest levels possible and be ready for the next stages of their lives. We want students to learn in a supportive environment and embrace all the opportunities high school offers.  We can accomplish this shared vision in the new block schedule. The Arrowhead Administration and School Board appreciate your support in making this exciting change. 

Please look for additional  details and opportunities to learn more in the coming months.

Sincerely, 

AHS Administration

Arrowhead High School

Non-Arrowhead High School Sponsored Event or Activity Absence Exception Request

Linked here you will find the application forms to be completed by you and your child relating to a request to exempt absences when participating in non-Arrowhead High School sponsored events or activities. Due to the fact that many of these events/activities take place outside of Hartland as well as outside of Wisconsin, we have found that students who participate in these tend to miss a larger number of days than students who are participating in an event/activity sponsored by AHS.  Please note that the school only has the authority to excuse these absences should it be identified as a gifted or talented opportunity.  However, this information does help as our administration works through absences with our families.  

Parents may excuse their students who miss school for a non-Arrowhead Sponsored Event as long as they are within the 10 days of absence allotted by the State of Wisconsin. Once the 10 days are met, students are marked as unexcused. An exemption in the missed day(s) can be granted if the student qualifies based on the application form linked above and team decision. An exemption means the absence does not count towards those 10 days.  

Please click on the link above and review the information provided.