As Cleveland welcomes back its students for the 2023-2024 school year, the bell schedule has shifted. With the new schedule, second and sixth periods have been limited to 92 minutes from 94 minutes. Lunch has also decreased from 35 minutes to 33 minutes.
Although the adjustment to the lunch length is small, many students believe it is still a step in the wrong direction.
Natalie Watts, a junior, complained, “It isn’t that big of a deal, but… why make it shorter when we already have so little?”
“[I don’t feel a difference], but I still don’t like that they made it shorter,” agreed Scarlett, a senior.
In accommodation with other parts of the schedule, passing period times have been increased from five minutes to seven, in an attempt to minimize the use of the hall pass and reduce rates of tardiness.
Student response to this change has been mixed. Although some students appreciate the extra time, others believe it is unnecessary. Scarlett is supportive of the hall pass regulations, but prefers the length of last year’s passing period.
“The hall pass regulations have been a good thing. But I feel like the passing periods are a bit too long. I noticed that everyone gets to their class and there’s just this awkward moment where everyone’s just sitting there,” Scarlett said.
One risks the label of “wandering warrior” after a seven-minute hall pass limit (rather than the 10-minute limit that was newly-enforced last year). This could be problematic for students in the portables, students on a floor with locked bathrooms, or students who are distanced from gender neutral bathrooms.
Damien, a junior, says, “I think the new hall pass is a really great change, but I think maybe [it would be good to have] hall passes at eight and a half minutes instead.”
The destination pass is also new. If a break needs to be longer than seven minutes, teachers can write individual students passes. Students can use the pass to visit counselors, or to complete work for other classes.
Generally, most people don’t mind the adjustments. Charlie, a junior, says, “The schedule is fine as it is.”
Natalie agrees, “I feel like passing period is decent this year as opposed to other years. Class size finally feels good. I like that we don’t have all eight days this year.”

Old schedule:
1/5: 8:30-10:02
2/6: 10:07-11:41
Lunch: 11:41-12:16
3/7: 12:21-1:53
4/8: 1:58-3:30

New schedule:
1/5: 8:30-10:02
2/6: 10:09-11:41
Lunch: 11:41-12:14
3/7: 12:19-1:51
4/8: 1:58-3:30

FLEX (unchanged):
1/5: 8:30 – 9:51
2/6: 9:58 – 11:19
Lunch: 11:19 – 11:52
3/7: 11:57 – 1:18
4/8: 1:25 – 2:46

Assembly (unchanged):
1/5: 8:30-9:52
Assembly: 9:52-10:34
2/6: 10:39-12:01
Lunch: 12:01-12:36
3/7: 12:41-2:03
4/8: 2:08-3:30