But teachers' advocates say the plan could overburden teachers. With students more or less limited to the classes offered within their school, teachers will have to diversify their offerings and serve in new capacities.

Roger O'Sullivan, president of the Cambridge Teachers Association, is concerned about the fact that teachers will be required to teach outside of their certification areas. While in principle they are allowed to teach 20 percent of their teaching load outside of their specialization, the Board of Education opposes this.

"Students should be taught by certified teachers," he stresses.

And the fact that teachers will be asked to serve as guidance counselors, he says, is troubling.

Another problem comes for bilingual students. With the bilingual program apportioned among three houses, bilingual students will have to depend on deans who may not be adequately sensitized to their unique educational needs, according to bilingual program teacher Arnold Clayton.

But Clayton is optimistic that CRLS' creation of an International Student Center for bilingual students will help ease the transition.

Though students will bemoan the loss of choice, the Evans proposal recognizes that choice can lead to inequality.

"Choice doesn't work in Cambridge," says Jackie Roberts, whose son will enroll at the school next fall. "If choice really worked, that would be the best of all worlds."