A Bold New Chapter
We are thrilled to announce that the board has unanimously approved an innovative two-year pilot program to transition Palo Verde High Magnet School to a four-day school week starting in the 2026–2027 school year!
This strategic move is designed to provide our students with a flexible schedule, extra support on Fridays, and an opportunity that truly prepares them for the modern world.
This strategic move is designed to provide our students with a flexible schedule, extra support on Fridays, and an opportunity that truly prepares them for the modern world.
Palo Verde is a comprehensive STEAM-focused magnet high school, with a current “B” school rating and a commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success through diverse academic and career-focused opportunities.
Families can schedule a tour or get enrollment information on this webpage Palo Verde Tour-Enroll, or contact the front office at 520-584-7400 for additional information.
Families can schedule a tour or get enrollment information on this webpage Palo Verde Tour-Enroll, or contact the front office at 520-584-7400 for additional information.
What This Means
We aren't just changing the schedule; we are maximizing our time together. Our new model actually increases instructional minutes to ensure our students receive the highest quality of academic support.
Classes will run Monday through Thursday from 8:10 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.
View the 2026-2027 Bell Schedule.
View the 2026-2027 Bell Schedule.
Each of the seven daily class periods will be extended to 60 minutes, providing an additional five minutes of instructional time per class each week.
To ensure our students excel, we are doubling the state-recommended instructional minutes in math by requiring a math elective for most students in grades 9 -11.
Introducing Flex Fridays
The fifth day of the week is being transformed into a day of opportunity. "Flex Fridays" will offer specialized programming focused on real-world success, including:
Students can earn career experience through internships and job shadowing.
Fridays will offer targeted tutoring and flexibility for students to balance family responsibilities or part-time jobs.
We will offer Community-Based Instruction, Life Skills development, and activities using Unique Learning System for our Exceptional Education students.
2026-2027 Bell Schedule
A Safer, Stronger Community
This change is backed by incredible support from our community, with 92% of parents and 97% of staff expressing their approval for the pilot. Furthermore, research into the four-day model shows significant improvements to school culture, including a 39% decrease in bullying and a 31% decrease in fighting.
As Principal Eric Brock shared, our goal is to make Palo Verde the premier choice for families in Tucson by offering a unique, flexible and effective education. We are so excited to embark on this journey with you and your students.
FAQ's
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Palo Verde High Magnet School will transition to a four-day school week as part of a two-year pilot program approved unanimously by the TUSD Governing Board.
The pilot program is designed to strengthen Palo Verde’s academic offerings, provide innovative learning opportunities, and help stabilize and grow student enrollment in an increasingly competitive educational environment.
Palo Verde will be the first public high school in Tucson to offer this innovative four-day school week model, providing students and families with a unique balance of academic rigor, flexibility, and real-world learning opportunities.
The schedule creates opportunities for students to participate in internships, job shadowing, career exploration, tutoring, and other experiences that support college, career, and life readiness.
Students will attend classes Monday through Thursday from 8:10 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.
The new schedule is designed to:
- Increase instructional time
- Provide additional academic support opportunities
- Create more flexibility for students and families
- Expand work-based learning opportunities
- Better prepare students for college, careers, and real-world responsibilities
- Help with teacher retention
- Increase student enrollment
No. Students will actually receive more instructional minutes than under a traditional schedule. Each of the seven daily class periods will be extended to 60 minutes, providing an additional five minutes of instructional time per class each week.
Fridays will become “Flex Fridays,” a day focused on enrichment, intervention, and real-world learning opportunities rather than a traditional school day schedule.
Flex Fridays may include:
- Tutoring and academic support
- Internship opportunities
- Job shadowing
- Work-based learning experiences
- Support for students balancing jobs or family responsibilities
- Specialized instruction for Exceptional Education students
- Life skills development
- Community-Based Instruction
Some students may be asked or required to attend on Fridays to receive targeted academic support, participate in specialized instructional programs, or engage in interventions designed to address individual learning needs and promote academic
success.
Students may have opportunities to participate in credit recovery programs to earn needed credits toward graduation, as well as engage in approved work-based learning experiences, internships, and structured career exploration pathways that connect classroom instruction to real-world applications, career readiness skills, and postsecondary opportunities.
To strengthen academic achievement, Palo Verde will require most students in grades 9–11 to take a math elective in addition to their regular math course. This will significantly increase math instructional minutes.
Exceptional Education students will continue receiving specialized services and instruction, including:
- Community-Based Instruction (CBI)
- Life Skills development
- Unique Learning System activities
- Individualized academic and transition support
Yes. The pilot program received overwhelming support from the Palo Verde community:
- 92% of parents supported the transition
- 97% of staff supported the transition
Research on four-day school week models has shown positive impacts on overall school culture and climate, including reductions in bullying and fighting, improved student and staff morale, increased student engagement and attendance, and stronger overall school connectedness. These improvements can contribute to a safer, more supportive, and more positive learning environment for both students and staff.
Yes. Athletics, clubs, activities, and events will continue. Specific schedules and adjustments will be communicated by coaches and sponsors.
Transportation services will continue Monday through Thursday. While yellow bus transportation will not be available on Fridays, students may still utilize the free Sun Tran route that operates along 22nd Street. Students may also be dropped off by a parent or guardian, walk, ride their bicycles, use skateboards, or use other approved means of transportation to attend Friday programs or activities.
Yes. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be available Monday through Friday. On Fridays, meals will be served during designated service hours: Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
No. The four-day week is currently approved as a two-year pilot program. The district and school administration will review data, feedback, and outcomes before determining any long-term decisions.
Innovative scheduling models can help schools attract and retain highly qualified staff by improving work-life balance and creating a more flexible professional environment.