Our school has 8 scheduled periods, that doesn't include before school activities (usually music related, but can be anything) or a 9th period called enrichment period- no scheduled classes, but make-up work, lessons, extra help, clubs, etc.
One period is filled with gym alternating with lab if you have a science, leaving 7 periods. This year my DD has 5 "core" classes, plus wind ensemble and then one semester each of computer science and photography. Most kids taking advanced classes opt out of lunch to fit in electives and such; they can get a pass to eat during certain classes.
