School schedules are tight. Between covering core instruction and keeping up with district goals, it might seem impossible to add one more thing. But students today need more than just traditional class time; they need space for academic support, enrichment, and meaningful connection. That’s why more and more schools are carving out time for a flex period. Some may know this as WIN time (‘What I Need’ time). Others call it Power Hour, or Advisory, or something school-specific like Tiger Time or Eagle Hour.
Regardless of the name, the objective is the same. And making the time to give students what they need is well worth the effort.
Common Names for WIN Time or Flex Periods (And How to Recognize One in Your School Schedule)
WIN time or a flex period is a dedicated block of time built into the regular school day that gives students access to what they need, whether that’s academic support, enrichment, intervention, or time to recharge. Unlike traditional class periods, flex time is intentionally unstructured, allowing schools to adapt it based on student needs, staff capacity, and instructional priorities.
You might already have something like a flex period in your current schedule, just under a different name. Schools often rebrand existing time, such as homeroom or advisory, to better serve students’ evolving needs. Some common names for flex periods include:
- WIN (What I Need) Time
- Advisory
- Power Hour
- Academic Support Block
- Homeroom
- [Mascot] Hour (like Panther Period)
6 Powerful Ways to Use a Flex Period
What you call a flex period isn’t nearly as important as how you use it. When thoughtfully implemented, flex periods can become one of the most effective and beloved parts of the school day. Here are some common uses of flex periods:
1. Provide Academic Support & Interventions
Flex periods provide the dedicated time teachers need to deliver targeted support. They’re ideal for offering Tier 2 and 3 interventions—essential for a sustainable MTSS model—making it possible to meet student needs without pulling them from core instruction. Read the blog to learn about using a flex period to create a responsive, flexible MTSS framework.
2. Increase Student Choice & Agency
Among the most powerful benefits of flex time is the opportunity for student choice. Letting students decide how to spend their flex time—whether it’s meeting with a teacher, doing homework, or pursuing an interest—builds engagement, motivation, and ownership over their learning. Read the blog to learn more about using a flex period to provide student choice.
3. Ensure Equity & Access
Not all students have the ability to come to school early or stay after to participate in activities or enrichments. Flex periods can level the playing field by integrating these opportunities into the regular school day.
4. Support Social & Emotional Wellbeing
Flex periods give students space to slow down, check in, and connect. Whether used for SEL lessons, peer mentoring, or simply a break in the day, this time can reduce stress and build stronger relationships with peers and trusted adults.
5. Strengthen Student Confidence & Connection
A study conducted by researchers at the Gordon Albright School of Education found that after one year of flex period implementation, 77.8% of students reported being able to balance their school workload and personal interests, up from just 46.8% the previous year. Students also reported feeling more connected to adults in the building. These findings reinforce that flex periods don’t just support academic growth; they help students feel more in control and connected.
6. Improve Academic Outcomes
Educators know that when students get the help they need, when they need it, achievement follows. Flex periods give teachers opportunities to reteach, extend, and differentiate, without sacrificing core instructional time. This focused support helps students close gaps before they widen and deepen their understanding of key concepts, which translates to improved academic performance.
How to Find Time for WIN Time in Your School Schedule
Finding the time is often the biggest hurdle to implementing a flex period. But you may be surprised to discover that this step doesn’t need to be that hard. For starters, you don’t need to carve out a huge block of time. As little as 20 minutes is enough for your first flex period.
To find that time, many schools find it relatively easy to borrow it from other places in their schedule. For example, you might use part of all of your advisory or homeroom time to accommodate a flex period. You might also shorten each class period or lunchtime by just a few minutes to accumulate the time. Of course, you could also combine these strategies, which would have the least impact on your current schedule.
Read the blog for more tips about how to find the time for a flex period.
Don’t Let Perfection Be the Enemy of Progress When It Comes to Starting a Flex Period
Too often, schools delay implementing a flex period because they’re convinced they can’t find the time. Other times, it’s because they can’t decide on the “perfect” structure or name. But every week without a flex period is a missed opportunity to support student choice, increase equity, and improve outcomes.
At the end of the day, you don’t need a flawless plan or the perfect name to begin—what matters most is starting with purpose. The structure, logistics, and name can evolve over time.
Need help figuring out where to begin? Download our free step-by-step Flex Period Planning Tool to get started today.
