Over 2,100 schools in the US are already doing a four day school week. It sounds great. Who wouldn’t want an extra day off every week? When you really think about it, is this actually a smart idea, or could it end up being more trouble than it’s worth?
A recent survey by Lakeland Joint School District 272 was taken to get students and parents opinions on four day school weeks.
There are some good things about a four day week. Students and teachers could get an extra day to relax, which could help the teachers stress less. Some schools have reported that students show up more and are even in better moods.
The schools save money on things like buses and lunch.
To make up for the lost day, schools have to make the other four days longer. That means kids are sitting in class for more hours. A study from NIH-PMC shows that students in four day schools sometimes fall behind, especially in math and English.
The students may struggle more academically as the structured five day learning would be reduced. Is it worth it to have a three day weekend every week if it could hurt our learning or make life harder for families?
What if students start falling behind and can’t catch up? Or what if the extra day off really does make a huge difference for mental health and happiness?
There are a lot of people affected by this decision, not just students. Teachers would have to adjust their lesson plans to fit everything into fewer days, which could make teaching more stressful. They might have less time to help students one on one, and there would be less time for group projects or activities that make school interesting.
Sports teams and clubs could also have to squeeze practices and meetings into a tighter schedule, which might mean less time for fun or extracurriculars outside of regular classes.
This change could affect different students in different ways. Some students might love having more free time, especially if they have jobs or help out at home.
“I feel completely fine about the days being longer,” LHS sophomore Marty Babb said. “It would only make school 45 minutes longer.”
Others might struggle, especially if they have to rely on school for meals or a safer place to be during the week. Not every family has the same resources, and a four day school week could make those differences even bigger.
We don’t know what the long term results of a four day week would be. A few schools have tried it, but there isn’t a lot of proof that it works for everyone.
“Four day school weeks are gonna be a great thing if it happens.” Aiden Hunt, a sophomore at Lakeland High School said.
Four day school weeks are beneficial because the current system is exhausting. Between seven hour school days, hours of homework, and extra curriculars, most high school students are usually burnt out by Friday.
A three day weekend would be great to catch up on sleep and extra projects and homework. More weekend time adds up to more focus when we’re in class.
The four day school week is beneficial for the school’s funding as it would save a lot on utility and costs.
It is a more efficient way of running a school while caring about students’ mental health.
Will four day school weeks be beneficial or a waste of time?
