Schedule information

Broad Run High School is open from 9:00 AM until 3:48 PM on all school days, as are the other nine Loudoun County high schools. It is notable that Loudoun County high schools begin the school day much later than neighboring jurisdictions, such as Fairfax County and Prince William County, where most schools open at around 7:30 AM and close between 2:00 and 2:30 PM.

Broad Run operates on an 8-period block schedule alternating each day. Periods 1-4 meet on A days (all class periods in order); and periods 5-8 are on B days. Though there are eight periods, all students have a mandatory FLEX period which is 6th period. Some students, usually seniors who have enough credits, elect to leave early from school or come late.

FLEX

In 2003, the school changed its scheduling to a new block schedule. Prior to this switch, Broad Run started every day with the same class for 45 minutes, while the rest of the day consisted of 3 ninety minute periods that alternated every other day. After the change, each day had 4 ninety minute periods with periods 1, 3, 5, and 7 meeting on the first day and 2, 4, 6, and 8 on the second. Instead of offering an 8th class, the school instituted a FLEX system, where students would go to two previous classes for approximately 40 minutes each during 6th period for class review or usage as a study hall period. The classes students were to report to rotated on a previously determined schedule, occasionally omitting a class for homeroom or class meetings. While the same schedule has been used since the change, administrators frequently alter how they refer to the FLEX days every year, with "maroon and gold" days, "A and B" days, and "flex and non-flex" days all having been used at some point.

Reception

Reception to this program has been mixed. Many students enjoy the opportunity to complete homework and study during school. Further, many teachers enjoy the ability to spend extra time outside of their normal class period to review course material or meet individually with students. At the same time, students frequently complain when their teachers require them to complete class specific work instead of finishing homework for other classes. Teachers also on occasion violate the mandate of the program by teaching new material during FLEX. According to the guidelines established by the administration, teachers are not supposed to use the period for studying new material.

Spartan Read

In 2004, Broad Run started a new program designed to boost the reading levels of students in the school. Spartan Read requires students to spend the first 15 minutes of FLEX in silent reading. Teachers are supposed to enforce this rule and provide reading material for students who did not bring anything to read. Enforcement of the program in individual classrooms varies by teacher: some strictly adhere to the rules while others are more lenient and only require students to remain quiet during the period.

Demographics

In 2006-2007, Broad Run's student body was 64% White; 11% Black; 11% Hispanic; and 14% Asian.