Over the course of a school day, scholars are not only required to grow in their academic skills but also to challenge their flexibility. Scholars must shift between the study of many disciplines and several activities within those disciplines. They also move to different parts of the building for periods like lunch, fitness, art, and music. Even within a long school day, we at Classical believe that every moment counts in our scholars’ blue ribbon education and teaching them to get where they need to go as efficiently as possible will prepare them for a successful future.
A Matter of Time
In a typical school day at Classical, scholars move upstairs to their classrooms at the beginning of the day, go downstairs for recess, lunch, and dismissal, and return upstairs several times. In the younger grades, whole classes also make trips to the bathroom together. Because these transitions happen many times each day and involve every grade in the school, we follow a few simple rules to ensure that all scholars are safe and that transitions are as efficient as possible.
Silence is Golden
All of our transitions are silent for three reasons. The first is safety: silence ensures that, in an emergency, scholars can clearly hear teachers’ instructions. The second is purpose: silence allows scholars to move quickly to their classrooms and begin quality instruction without delay. The third is respect for others: since our buildings include multiple grades, and some are co-located, we demonstrate through silence that we value all classrooms’ learning and time.
Timing (and Feedback) Are Essential
During every whole-class transition, teachers hold two items: a timer and a tracker listing all scholars’ names. The timer signals to scholars that every second counts, while the tracker ensures that our management system is enforced consistently in both hallways and classrooms. This helps scholars recognize the school day as a unified experience where every decision, including how they choose to transition, matters. It also allows us to provide immediate feedback after each transition. By giving scholars guidance on how to move more efficiently, we entrust them with ownership of their time and demonstrate our confidence in their ability to improve.
Moving Scholars Forward
At Classical, transitions are more than just moments between classes—they are opportunities to reinforce safety, respect, and purpose. By moving silently, valuing every second, and responding to consistent feedback, scholars develop habits that extend beyond the classroom. These practices not only support a smooth and productive school day but also instill the discipline, focus, and ownership that prepare scholars for success in learning and in life.