Flex blocks have been gaining popularity in schools across the country. While the specifics of how they are implemented differ from school to school, the essential function is the same: it is a time that can be personalized to what a student needs.
A flex block is a dedicated time when students spend time personalized to their needs. This could be intervention, enrichment, SEL time, or focused studying. The key is that each student will need something different and the flex block is a time when they can get what they need.
Here are a few common questions about flex block:
What is it called?
Flex blocks go by many names. Here are a few of the names that schools call their flex block:
- Flex period
- WIN (What I Need) Time
- Mascot Time (eg. Raider Block, Tiger Time)
- Activity Period
- Tutoring Time
- Advisory
- X Block
How do schools use this time?
The biggest benefit of implementing a flex block is that there is incredible diversity in how students will use that time. Whether a student needs ongoing or specific intervention, or Social Emotional counseling, or other types of enrichment, a flex block gives the school community a time for all these needs.
Here are a few ways that schools use their flex block:
Academic Support
- Intervention with academic teacher
- Test preparation
- Lesson help
- Complete work
- Academic enrichment
Targeted Supports
- Social-Emotional
- Behavioral
- Psychoeducational
- Social, Anxiety, Coping skills
- Healthy relationships, grief, communication
- Substance abuse, conduct, etc. meetings and remediation
Student Leadership
- Student Leadership time
- Special Interest Groups
- Diversity Groups
- Peer Mentoring, Peer Tutoring programs
- Student Project Meetings
Enrichment Activities
- Student collaboration
- School safety
- Clubs and activities
- Guest speakers
- Language Exchange
How often are flex blocks offered?
Many schools schedule a 30-50 minute block that is offered on a recurring basis. Some schools offer a longer block on some days and a shorter block on others.
Some schools offer a few flex blocks a week and others offer it every day. It is really up to the school to determine how often they will offer it.
How is a flex block linked to an Advisory?
Many schools schedule an Advisory period at the beginning of their schedule cycle or every Monday. It is a great time for the students to meet with their Advisor to plan how they will spend their flex time for that schedule cycle. Advisors can review students in progress grades in each subject to determine where the student needs enrichment.
As you can see, the implementation of a flex block can vary from how often it is offered, how it is spent, and even what it is called. What is universal, though, is that students are getting what they need during the school day.