One of the 3 core design elements of TEP’s educational program is its emphasis on extended and varied interaction between students and master teachers.

This is not simply a matter of students spending more time in class and in school; that is, what is relevant is not only duration, but also the quality and type of interactions students have with teachers.

First, TEP students do spend more time in class than is typical. The school day runs from 7:45 AM to 4 PM. The academic portion of the day consists of 6 core academic subjects as well as Physical & Health Education. Students also participate in Extended-Day Activities 3 days per week, Academic Support & Enrichment classes 2 days per week, as well as a weekly small group Advisory Period and a weekly whole-school assembly.

However, it is important to understand that the key to TEP’s extended-time model is not the extra time in-and-of-itself but rather that students spend this time with teachers of exceptional quality who create learning environments and utilize core instructional practices that maximize student achievement and development. Moreover, the extended-time model enables TEP students to learn from master teachers in both academic (the 6 core subjects) and non-academic (extended-day and out-of-school) settings.