Does Highline High School's four-period schedule hinder students once they enter college?

That was the question that came up Sept. 30 at the Highline School Board's regular meeting.

The Burien high school splits up the school day into four periods, making for longer individual classes than most high schools.

Highline High allots 75 to 80 minutes for each class.

Board member Julie Burr Spani said that in surveys of former Highline students now in college, the college students complained that Highline schools did not adequately prepare them for scheduling out-of-class study time or learning independently.

The students said in high school they could complete their homework during the long class periods so didn't have to schedule outside time to do it.

Spani added that discussion about Highline High's four-period schedule comes up often, "even at the supermarket."

Highline High principal Mike Fosberg said his staff is "getting better" at fully utilizing the longer class periods but are "not taking full advantage" of the time.

The school's unique schedule was spotlighted because the district is seeking an exemption from the state requirement that each class credit must consist of 150 hours of planned instructional activity.

Normally a student receives one credit for each class per school year.

But Fosberg said Highline High students normally take eight classes per year instead of six so each class is shorter in terms of instructional time.

"Our focus is less on the content and more on independent thinking," Fosberg explained.

However, with longer class periods, teachers "don't have to rush through each session," according to Fosberg.

Administrators noted that besides Big Picture High School and some alternative learning programs, all the district's other high schools follow the 150-hour requirement.

After the discussion, board members agreed to support the waiver request for Highline High.