Pre-Order - Ships November 2025

Perhaps one of the most wide-reaching decisions a school leader makes is that of the schedule. It truly affects everyone. From start to end times, it impacts parents, bus drivers, food service staff, teachers, and students. As we approach the schedule, it is not enough to just study the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools. It is our imperative to put them into action. This companion guide to The Successful Middle School: This We Believe explores both the cultural and technical aspects of school scheduling, giving teams a roadmap to execute on their vision.

This 2nd edition of The Successful Middle School Schedule substantially enhances the original text with additional scheduling examples, case studies, and technical guidance. It is organized into four sections that include updated ideas or processes building on the cultural and technical sides of scheduling:

• Section 1 explores the critical role of leadership and culture in guiding the scheduling process, expanding on the foundational aspects needed to create a schedule that is as unique as the students it serves. These elements lay the groundwork for developing a schedule that is built on research, grounded in best practices, and prioritizes what we know works for educating young adolescents.
• Section 2 explores the technical aspects of scheduling, providing specific strategies to create a responsive and equitable schedule that reflects the needs of the school’s students.
• Section 3 explores the primary building blocks and core structures that shape effective middle school schedules, emphasizing the importance of allocating time. The first half of the section presents common scheduling models, while the latter portion shifts focus to implementing MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and creatively rethinking time through flexible scheduling strategies.
• Section 4 explores how to sustain and refine your schedule through feedback and shared decision-making. This section outlines ways teams can monitor the impact of their schedule and, most importantly, use student feedback as a key driver for improvement.
• Finally, Section 5 concludes the text with four case studies from real AMLE Schools of Distinction.