By  Colton Elsen  |  Feb 6, 2026     SaveTheTrimesters.org

A common criticism of the trimester schedule is that struggling students supposedly “lose” access to year‑round instruction in core subjects. But this concern overlooks the very system designed to support those students: enrichment classes. These classes were intentionally created to give students a slower-paced, highly supported learning environment that spans the entire school year. What began with Algebra expanded to Geometry, and now, after years without a three‑trimester English option, Council Grove has restored that support through the new English Enrichment class for freshmen and sophomores.

Algebra/Geometry Enrichment

Math enrichment classes are a cornerstone of how Council Grove helps students succeed. These courses are built for students who need more time, more connection with their teacher, and more structured practice. The pace is intentionally slowed, allowing students to build confidence and mastery before entering the “A” section of the course in the winter trimester.

This structure gives students math all year long, but without forcing every student into an 18‑week block, they may not need. Students in enrichment earn 1.5 math credits in a single year, and they do so with far more support than a semester schedule could ever provide.

ELA Tier

The former ELA Tier class served as an intervention for students who struggled on benchmark assessments. It targeted specific skill gaps and was originally co‑taught, giving students intensive support. But the structure had a major flaw: once students met their goals, they were stuck in the class until the trimester ended. That discouraged improvement and made the class feel more like a placement than a support.

When the Tier class was removed, the plan was to shift interventions into Seminar/Braves Time. That system never fully materialized, leaving Council Grove without a year‑long English option for several years.

That changed in the 2025–2026 school year. With the addition of a new English teacher, the school finally restored a three‑trimester support system through English Enrichment, which now mirrors the successful math model. Students who need consistent, year‑round English instruction once again have access to it.

Why These Options Matter

Council Grove’s strong State Assessment performance is not an accident. It’s the result of a schedule that adapts to students rather than forcing every student into the same mold.

• High‑achieving students can accelerate, explore electives, and avoid being trapped in unnecessary year‑long classes.

• Struggling students get targeted, year‑long support in math and English through enrichment classes.

• Everyone benefits from a system that is flexible, responsive, and built around student needs, and not rigid blocks of time.

A switch to semesters would eliminate this flexibility. Every student would be locked into year‑long math and ELA, and enrichment classes would disappear entirely. Students who currently thrive with extra support would instead spend 18 weeks in classes paced for students who excel, with no additional help and no alternative structure.

For the students who rely on enrichment to build skills, confidence, and understanding, that change wouldn’t just be inconvenient; it would be harmful.