Hazelwood school district implemented a change in Hazelwood Central High School’s schedule system called C days during the 2025 school year. The change was made due to give students real world experiences.
This new thematic approach means that some students have a separate schedule called “C day.” On Friday, students can stay at Central to take elective classes or sophomores, juniors, and seniors can go to the Florissant Valley Community College to take dual enrollment classes if they meet certain requirements.
Hazelwood Central High School C day classes are supposed to be student-led yet teacher-monitored by two teachers who take turns teaching every Friday, while the dual enrollment classes function like a normal classroom however students are in a college environment.
Last year students who decided to stay at Central had to fill out a Google form to select the classes they were most interested in taking. Those Google forms would be used by the counselors to set up their schedules.
One reason for this is to accommodate Friday Academy students; students who arrive at the school and leave at 7:30 a.m. to go to St. Louis Community College for dual enrollment. At the community college, students can go to the cafeteria for breakfast before heading to their respective classes. Some examples of the classes are College Composition I and Unmanned Aircrafts.
Contrary to belief, managing college and high school homework doesn’t seem to overwhelm the majority of students.
Senior Caesar White explains that it only takes him a few hours to complete high school assignments, giving him ample time to focus on college work.
“I usually am able to finish my highschool work in about 2-3 hours for the week, and then I have the rest of the time to work on college work,” said Caesar White.
However, if students are struggling with their classes, thematic school assistant principal Katherine Minster says that a study lab at the community college has tutors that can assist those with low grades.
“If they need help, they have a study lab at the training center with me or Dr. Williams. Recently, we’ve also brought in a math tutor for additional support as well,” said Mrs. Minster.
Overall, most students agree that Friday Academy is a nice change of pace from their usual schedule, especially since it allows them to get a head start on obtaining college credit.
Along with the students, Mrs. Minister agrees that the thematic program gives them a great opportunity to experience college before they graduate.
“Friday Academy is a wonderful opportunity to let students gain first-hand experience and I am proud to see the effort they make there,” said Mrs. Minster.
Some students have expressed that they like C-days for multiple reasons. Whether it be the additional seminar classes providing students with additional school time to work on unfinished assignments, or the 12th hour clubs that allow students to interact with each other about school projects.
One of these students, Herriyah Brookins, says “I actually don’t think C-days are boring because they have in school clubs that are available for all students present at Hazelwood Central High School on Fridays.”
Not only do the students reap benefits, but some teachers are noticing positive effects.
“There have been some students who have learned to take initiative and be positioned in roles that show leadership amongst other students; as well as communicate with unfamiliar peers.” explained Mrs. Bober.
However students aren’t the only ones who are getting used to the new changes in schedule.
Teacher Mrs. Walls says C day is a new experience for everyone.
“The support system is here, it’s just new for the entire building so everyone is learning as a whole.” said Mrs. Walls
The controversial choice to make C day classes not worth a grade has left some students perplexed.
William says if it wasn’t for attendance purposes a lot of students wouldn’t show up.
“People already were irritated with the change but when everyone found out it wasn’t worth a grade is when people were done and just didn’t show up.” said William Larkin
The school has been reviewing the program all semester, and making changes along the way. There are more changes in store for second semester, that will be designed to address some of these issues. Mrs. Walls says it’s an experience not a lesson.
“It’s supposed to be an experience and you can’t grade an experience.” said Walls.
On the other hand classes taken at Florissant Valley are not only counted as a grade but also as a college credit. This has left dual enrollment students quite satisfied.
Senior Karrington Rainey feels like she’s getting the ‘college experience’ from taking classes at Florissant Valley Community College.
“Honestly I enjoy going to Flo for the most part it really helped me figure out what college was actually like and if it’s for me or not,” said Rainey
However there are a few complaints about the workload from having to deal with Central and Florissant Valley assignments.
Rainey thinks Fridays can be stressful at times due to the workload so she’s pretty thankful for the study hour classes she has.
“I mean it can be hard going to Flo and Central at the same time because I can have a paper due and have a test I need to worry about at the same time, thankfully I have study hall to kinda combat that plus my teachers are pretty understanding,” she said.
According to students some teachers at Central don’t put effort into their C day classes as much as their A and B day classes.
Mrs. Robbie Walls attempted to give her C day students a good experience.
“One of the things I teach for C days is beanie making,” said Walls
All of the people who were interviewed were asked if they would rather keep C days or go back to A and B schedule on Fridays.
Karrington Rainey says yes to keeping C days since it assists her in furthering her education.
“Yes I’d keep C days for dual enrollment students because it helps us get college credits early,” said Rainey.
