We’re finally back in the swing of things at 7100 Shore Road! The first month of school is coming to a close, tests are upcoming, and school events are just kicking off. Our new Clippers, who have recently arrived, are adjusting to our school’s routine while the “hustle and bustle” has finally begun to quiet down.

However, the adjustments are not just for our new Clippers settling in but also for our returning students facing our school’s new approach to grading, using semesters instead of quarters. “Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Xaverian will be calculating grades based on a semester model with periodic progress checks and formal progress reports,” Principal Sharib wrote in an email to students at the end of school in June. This differs from the quarter model Xaverian previously used, as there will be no more quarterly report cards.

Mr. Sharib explained that after the COVID-19 lockdown (and while Xaverian still utilized the quarter model), class durations were modified to hour block schedules. This meant that while class periods were in fact longer, the amount of time you would have each class per week lessened, leaving teachers with shorter amounts of time to review subjects and give exams before the end of the quarter. He feels as though the new semesters will give teachers more time to teach while also better preparing students for upcoming tests. “I think the [new] semester model made a lot of sense with the schedule change we made following Covid,” he said, “I’m enjoying the idea where I’m not racing to give them their test...and I don’t feel trapped by time.”

The change from quarters to semesters, while appearing to be minor, really does make a difference for students. It comes down to whether or not they prefer a little breathing room versus crunch time. I, for one, appreciate the new change. With the academic year being split in half, I’m given more opportunities to make up quizzes and tests that I may not perform as well on. With semesters, students have fewer marking periods to prepare for, leaving rapid deadlines in the past. It also eliminates the pressure of constantly having to achieve flawless scores, encouraging real student growth and a better overall mindset. Not to mention, as a student-athlete at Xaverian, the new semester model is a great way to better manage time between practices, games, and schoolwork.

Siena Malerba ’28, a fellow student-athlete on the Girls JV Lacrosse team, agrees. “I personally like the new semesters better because I feel like it’ll give me more time to focus on school, and not have to worry about getting my grades up while I have school sports in season as well as travel sports,” she said.

However, other students hold a different opinion. It’s argued that the elimination of quarterly report cards can make it difficult for students to see their progress. While quarters offered faster pacing, more motivation, and a chance to restart quicker, semesters fall short in those areas. “I think the quarters were better... I feel it was better for students,” sophomore Toni Olivieri ’28 said.

Regardless of opinion and with the first progress report in November quickly approaching, it’s a good time for students to prioritize their learning. “You should always come out of the gates working hard,” Mr. Sharib said, “be mindful of where you are.” Like he does every year, he encourages us to consistently work hard and take advantage of all the extra-help resources here at Xaverian.

What do you think? Are semesters a step in the right direction towards a stress-free learning environment, or did quarters fit our school best?