In the 2026-2027 school year, Roxbury High School will change its normal A/B schedule to a rotating bell schedule. This schedule will include A, B, C, and D days, meaning the classes will run ¾ days for shorter periods (around 50 minutes). There are many mixed opinions about this schedule, and whether it is considered good or bad.
Teacher’s Opinions
From the teacher’s perspective, there were many mixed opinions. Due to the many different types of classes Roxbury High School offers, there are many reasons why this would be. Although this schedule may be better for academic classes, one of the biggest concerns about the bell schedule is the Art and Music departments.
Considering the arts are one of the biggest challenges, Mrs. Speronza, one of the ceramics and sculpture teachers, told us she is willing to be flexible with her class. Speronza states, “My thoughts on the new bell schedule will see how it turns out for the art department. We are a little apprehensive because it’s a lot shorter in terms of the classes, but I want to support Mr. Crispino and his efforts to make our school the best place it can be.”
Mr. Tomasheski, a History teacher tells us, “I like the new schedule because the length of the new periods are a better period of time. I think 75 minutes is too long, but 50 minutes is perfect. I’m not too crazy about the rotation with the classes, but the length is good.”
Several teachers reveal their thoughts and opinions don’t feel heard about this schedule and wish they had a louder say. Mr. Kane, a French teacher states, “I feel like there has to be more opportunities for feedback. There needs to be more in-person-to-person feedback instead of all the forms and stuff.” Similarly to Mr. Kane, Mrs. Feehan, a biology teacher, agrees. “I think the bell schedule is awful, and I would like to stick with the one we have now.”
However, Mr. Hansen argues that he is pleased with the rotation and that he had this schedule as a student and felt that it benefited him. Hansen states, “It allows you to take a break from classes and experience your classes at another time of day. So, let’s say you’re gonna have Gym and you hate having to come to school, and you look all good and spend all that time on your makeup and your hair and you have gym first period every day–so you’ve ruined your look for the day. But with this new schedule, it changes throughout the day.”
Student’s Opinions
Now, to see from the student’s perspective. Several upperclassmen admit to being grateful that they won’t have to deal with the schedule. Addison Christian, a junior, states, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Elvana Rama, a junior says that she thinks that the schedule will benefit the students, “I think personally it’s cool because it spreads out your classes. It’s a good change, and it’ll be fun for the new people. I also like how the classes are shorter. I feel like it’s better to not have to sit in a chair for 75 minutes.”
From a homework and time management standpoint, Juan Correa, a junior, tells us, “I think it’s pretty bad because there will be more homework to do on a day-to-day basis.” Considering that there’s more homework, it may cause more stress for the students.
Kristy Benitez, a junior, states that she likes the schedule because, “we get the shorter amount of class time and then it will be good for memorization”
Opinions on Lunch
A controversial aspect of this schedule is lunch. It will be all grade levels at the same time. Many questions revolve around this, like how buying lunch will work. Kiley Czech, a freshman who will be affected by this schedule change, admits, “I don’t like the new schedule because I feel like the lunch is going to be too complicated.” Although lunch with everyone seems complicated as Czech explains, the option of sitting with any of your friends anywhere is offered.
Mrs. Posbergh, the assistant principal shares some benefits of having a common lunch. Posbergh says, “You get common lunch with all of your friends so you don’t have to switch your lunch, switch your VIP–the media center is open, classrooms are open! Clubs [and] activities run during the day so you don’t have to stay after school so you can still have a job. You can still do your family things you need to do.”
A large concern, lunch can be calmed by several other schools using this schedule. Brenna Riley, a West Morris Mendham High School (WMMHS) student, says that she uses the rotating schedule. Riley states, “The freshmen stay in the main gym, sophomores in the second gym, juniors in the cafeteria, and seniors are in the lobby. Also, there are 3 different places you can buy lunch – between the two gyms, and in the cafeteria, there are 2 different lines.”
CJ Guarente, another student from WMMHS states that lunch is just as much of a mess as expected. Guarente says, “It’s messy because everyone goes to one lunch line and just cuts. Then the teacher there who monitors the lunch line gave up so it’s anarchy when you try to get lunch because all 1,200 kids get lunch at the same time. So everyone is just shoving. Lunch starts at 10:45 and some people don’t get their lunch until 11:15, Lunch ends at 11:25.”
Although the rotating schedule is creating controversy based on its aspects, Roxbury High School is in the process of reaching the best potential it can be. Mr. Crispino, the principal at Roxbury High School, will be using trial and error to see if this is the change that Roxbury High School needs.