Students at Alpine High School staged a protest outside the school this week in response to a new policy that eliminates off periods for upperclassmen — even for those who have already met their graduation credit requirements.
Under the previous system, juniors and seniors who had completed enough credits were allowed schedule flexibility, including off periods they often used for jobs, errands, or personal time. The updated policy ties schedule exemptions to college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) benchmarks. To be eligible for up to two off periods, students must now meet one of several specific criteria, such as earning an industry-based certification, completing dual credit classes, scoring at a certain level on the SAT or ACT, or enlisting in the military.
The district’s move appears to be in response to Alpine ISD’s most recent state accountability report, which assigned the district a CCMR score of 68 — a score equivalent to a D.
Superintendent Michelle Rinehart responded to the growing concerns in a local Facebook group widely followed by Alpine residents. She acknowledged the district’s low CCMR rating and said the policy change was part of the district’s effort to improve post-graduation outcomes for students.
While some community members have expressed understanding of the district’s motivation, others argue the decision removes beneficial flexibility for students who have already demonstrated academic success.
The district has not announced any changes to the policy following the protest.
