Natchitoches Parish School Board announced that parish high schools will transition from a semester block schedule to a year-long block schedule beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
Under the new schedule, students will take eight classes for the entire school year rather than completing four classes in the fall semester and four different classes in the spring. Students will rotate through an A/B/C day schedule, attending four courses on A Day, four different courses on B Day, and all eight courses on C Day.
School officials said the change will allow students to remain in the same courses throughout the year, providing more time to master course standards and better preparing them for state and national assessments.
The shift also aligns with an updated state assessment policy that will begin with the incoming freshman class in the 2026–2027 school year. Under the new policy, students will take two comprehensive LEAP exams at the end of their second year of high school, one in English Language Arts and one in mathematics. The existing Civics and Biology LEAP exams will continue to be administered.
Under the new schedule, students will attend WIN each day, and mid-year LEAP exams will be eliminated with testing shifting to May.
District officials said graduation requirements, course offerings, and opportunities for dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses will remain unchanged. Students will continue to have access to electives, career pathway courses, interventions, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
The schedule change will apply to all high school students in grades nine through twelve beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
Families with questions are encouraged to review the district’s informational materials or contact the guidance counselor at their child’s school for additional information.
