Hybrid Classes Prepare Students for College

Upperclassmen at Chartiers Valley High School are learning more by attending class less with a new hybrid format.

The classes only meet once a week and are offered first period in the morning, allowing students to arrive about an hour later than normal. The hybrid courses follow the same curriculum as the traditional ones, only with less class time and more online work and electronic communication.

“The hybrid classes are part of an initiative started two years ago to restructure the senior year to help students be more prepared for college and beyond,” said Terri Flynn, the new director of administrative services who was instrumental in developing the program.

Similar to college, students are expected to come to class having already read the chapter and prepared with questions. Students know this in advance and have to receive a recommendation from a teacher to take these classes.

“It’s a privilege, but it also comes with more responsibility,” said Kyrstyn Proie, a Chartiers Valley senior who is taking both hybrid Economics and Statistics courses.

If the teacher notices a student struggling or not completing work, they can require them to come in more than once a week. Along with covering the required material for the course, students have found that they’re gaining much more from the hybrid format.

“The best thing I am learning is how to manage my own time,” senior Katelyn Kubus said. “The teachers aren’t reminding you every day to turn in homework and do your reading.”

While the students are only required to attend class on Wednesday, the teachers are available all week during first period.

“It’s great that the students can get more personal or small group instruction if they need it,” said Maria Krzeczowski, who teaches hybrid Statistics this year.

Only a handful of students show up every day, and others will come before an assignment is due for additional guidance, Krzeczowski said.

It may sound like an excuse to get more sleep, but the hybrid classes are hardly blow-offs. The hybrid courses offered this year are Economics and College in High School Statistics, where students can earn college credit through Duquesne University.

The new format debuted last year with 12 students and attendance tripled for this year, said Charles Copetas, a hybrid Economics teacher. Other courses including World Cultures, Psychology, Marketing Dynamics and Practical Physics will be offered in the hybrid format if a minimum of 20 students sign up next year.

With electronic submission of assignments, everything is traceable, holding the students more accountable. On the days the entire class does meet, not a minute is wasted turning in papers or reviewing.

“We go over the entire Economics chapter in one day,” said Joseph Lucas, a hybrid Economics teacher. “Sometimes it’s a little overwhelming for them, but we expect the students to meet us halfway.”

In order for the hybrid format to work, it’s up to the teachers to make everything available online and respond to requests very quickly to make sure students get the feedback they need.  CV has a unique online Learning Management System where students have a folder for each class and receive assignments via email along with an electronic blackboard feature used frequently for the hybrid classes.

“Smart phones are also encouraged to be used as a tool for organization,” said Proie.

The unique format allows for students to learn at their own pace and participate in real-time projects outside of the textbook.

“It teaches you a lot about yourself and what you need to do to excel,” Proie said.