The 4-Day School Week; Could It Be Better for Districts?

Oct 4

Reading Time: 1 min 39 sec

Photo: children their raising hands seated in classroom desks

Why do kids have to attend a five day school week?

Have we ever really asked ourselves why children must attend school five days a week? Is it because we assume children learn best this way? We blindly adhere to what we’ve always done . . . but why?

As it turns out, some school districts are starting to consider alternative schedules.

According to a recent Rand Corporation survey, the four-day school week is gaining popularity in some rural areas within the United States. While some statistics show negative findings, many findings show some hearty benefits to a four-day school week.

A simple internet search will quickly pull up many mixed reviews regarding seemingly downsizing the five-day school week.

Advocates of the four-day-on, three-day-off school schedule argue there are vital benefits, like:

Improved Attendance
A more concise week makes it easier for students to maintain consistent attendance.

Economical Transportation
There's a notable reduction in fuel expenses with fewer days on the road.

Attractive to Teachers
The allure of a shorter work week may help districts recruit and keep talented educators.

Balanced Living
The additional day off provides students with an opportunity for family bonding, extracurricular activities, and undistracted study time.

While the pros can undoubtedly be used to argue in favor of a four-day school week, the cons can work just as hard to discredit it.

Those against a more compact week, argue that:

Childcare Concerns
Parents, especially those who work full-time or are single, might grapple with childcare challenges.

Safety and Nourishment
Vulnerable children might miss out on the safety and regular meals schools provide.

Extended Hours
To make up for the lost day, schools might need to stretch daily hours.

Routine Adaptation
The regular switch between school and off days might be unsettling for younger children.

Whether a four or five-day school week is best depends on a variety of factors, like student demographics, the location of the district, and many others. If you’ve never considered it, though, maybe now it sounds enticing. Maybe you wonder why anyone would even consider it.

One thing we can all probably agree on, though, is that it’s pretty interesting to consider!