Traditional vs. Block: The Local Breakdown

Block schedules, with longer classes that usually meet every other day, have taken hold in most Washington area high schools. But some schools still have traditional 40- to 50-minute classes that meet every day. Here is the situation in local schools:

THE DISTRICT: All regular public high schools have block schedules. (No comprehensive data on public charter schools available.)

MARYLAND: All public high schools in these county systems have block schedules: Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Prince George's.

All public schools in these county systems have traditional schedules: Calvert, Howard, St. Mary's.

Charles County has one high school on a block schedule and five on traditional schedules. Five Montgomery County high schools have some form of block scheduling.

VIRGINIA: All public high schools in these city and county systems have block schedules: Alexandria, Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Winchester.

Stafford County has three high schools on block schedules and two on traditional schedules.

-- Jay Mathews