Imagine having only four days of school each week. Kids in more than 900 school districts across the United States do!
Why shorten the school week? For one, it can save money. Schools spend less on things like buses and electricity when they are closed. Supporters of the shorter week also point out that it gives students and teachers a break.
“Our students have generally come to school more well rested, engaged, and ready to learn,” says Hunter Flesch. He’s the associate principal of Cornell Elementary School in Iowa. His school switched to a four-day week in 2024.
But critics worry that four-day school weeks could cause kids to lose out on valuable learning time. And to make up for the day off, many schools add as much as 50 extra minutes to the other days. Some people argue that longer school days can be more tiring for both students and teachers.