Modular scheduling

Modular scheduling is a system of timetabling in certain US high schools that was introduced in the 1970s.

Ursuline modular schedule

During the 1970s, Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) switched to a modular schedule. This consists of 6 days (lettered A-F) each with 18 modules. Each mod is 20 min, with a 3 min passing time between each one added in 2004. Classes range from 2-4 modules long. Students say that the schedule works very well in helping them with time management and responsibility.

Each also has a certain number of free mods each day to eat, study, do homework, work in the library, or socialize. As the choice of classes becomes more open to each student, free mods become more abundant. A typical student would have between 21 and 40 free mods a cycle, depending on the number of classes taken.

Different schedule days are set up so that mods can be shortened, (to incorporate time for a pep rally, department meeting, etc.) but are never skipped.

Incarnate Word High School

At the Incarnate Word High School San Antonio, Texas classes run on a modular schedule. Each day is broken down into 17 time-periods called "mods." Mods are 20 minutes long, except the lunch mods, which are 26 minutes. The schedule is on a two-week cycle. There are no bells between mods, and students are responsible for arriving to classes on time. Students and faculty also have mods without classes, called open labs, which are to be used as "study" periods. This schedule encourages personal responsibility and aids in preparation for a college schedule.