For the first time, first-semester final exams will occur before winter break, and the finals schedule will revert to a three-day format from the four-day format instituted during Covid-19, Joyce Kim, Associate Principal of Teaching and Learning, said. Finals will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 17, and end on Friday, Dec. 19.

Previously, final exams began after winter break and lasted four days, Kim said. A decision was made by a final exam committee made up of teachers, administrators, school board members, students, and parents to hold final exams over the three days before winter break, she said.

This change was made to allow more instructional time and to meet the needs of staff and students, especially those with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) which provide testing accommodations, Kim said.

“This three-day examination schedule incorporates 90-minute testing periods that accommodate approved student accommodations, and provide make-up testing opportunities,” Kim said.

Students who have three finals in one day and want to have more balance in their schedule can request to take an exam at another time, Kim said.

Deborah Cohen, Instructional Supervisor for the Glenbrook Academy of International Studies and Advanced Academic Programs, believes that this change benefits some teachers by providing accommodations for them, such as an extra day of preparation.

“While I was not involved in the discussions that led to the change, I assume that people feel that the three-day exam schedule is an efficient use of time that maximizes instructional time while also allowing time for final exams,” Cohen said.

Although the change to three days is beneficial for some people, for some it is a bit of an adjustment to the short time frame, Cohen said.

“I looked at the number of days left in the semester and realized that some of the days left were final exam days, and so I had way fewer days than I thought,” Cohen said.

Senior Ava Sims believes that the semester ending before winter break does help relieve some of the stress for students.

“When finals were after winter break, there was a lot of stress being built up because I felt like I needed to do studying when it was supposed to be my break,” Sims said.

Overall, shifting final exams to before winter break was done to meet the students’ and staff’s priorities, Kim said.

“Priorities included clear expectations for students, clarity on staff expectations, roles, and support for various final assessments,” Kim said.