Sentiments among Lake Ridge High School students vary regarding a recently approved plan which calls for longer classes on fewer days per week during the 2016-2017 school year.

Under a new A/B block schedule plan, Mansfield Independent School District high school students will take four, two-hour classes on “A” days and four different classes on “B” days beginning next school year. The district says the new schedule will ensure that students have access to Ben Barber Career Tech, dual credit classes, college board advanced placement classes and quality co-curricular and extra-curricular programs.

The change was made following community meetings and a comprehensive study involving the district’s spring and summer 2015 master schedule, according to MISD officials.

“We held several focus group discussions, parent meetings, teacher meetings, and surveyed our community,” said school Superintendent Jim Vaszauskas on the MISD website. “After careful consideration of the information provided and with a clear focus on our mission to graduate college and career ready students, I believe the A/B block schedule best meets the needs of our high school students.”

Lake Ridge sophomore Mackenzie Taylor-Allen said sitting in the same class longer than 45 minutes and learning the same subject might make her lose focus. Some of her classmates agree that the new schedule could pose problems.

“I think it’s a bad idea because classes two hours long can give off stress and cause tension in your body due to lack of movement,” said Haley Bengry, a sophomore.

“Two hours in a class? No thank you,” said Ashley Cantero, a freshman.

According to a CNN report, students have three times too much homework and staying in class longer than 45 minutes would help with the workload. Some students say the approved plan has other benefits well.

“More time in class gives me more time to learn areas I am unsure or confused about,” said sophomore Trieu Tran.

Elementary, intermediate and middle school schedules will not change for the 2016-2017 school year, according to the MISD.

What do you think of A/B block scheduling? Let us know in the comments section below.