The number of schools that have been implementing a four day school week is increasing each year. As of the 2023-2024 school year 900 school districts followed a four day school week which is nearly a third more than what we had in 2018-2019. 650 districts in 24 states followed this schedule during that time. I believe that more high schools should be implementing this schedule and this includes BFA.
There are more benefits of the four day school week than disadvantages. Schools who already have decided to use this schedule have seen it saves costs for the school, for things like transportation, food service, and other utilities, this frees up money that can be used on more important education tools. Not only are there benefits but more and more jobs are also implementing the 4 day work schedule so why not us? It wouldn’t set up students to expect the wrong thing if work will be the same.
High school students nowadays, have higher anxiety and stress surrounding school, they have to balance work, school, afterschool programs like sports, and whatever else is going on in their life and many have struggles with depression. The only other reason why less schools would benefit students and teachers, is because teachers experience this stress too. With less school, students and teachers would be able to spend the extra day to distress, and work on their mental health.
Many school districts themselves have said the four day week has benefited them more than they have disadvantages, so why are more schools not following this schedule? Teachers and students have both said they prefer the four day week parents of students have agreed as well, the only people disagreeing are those who have not experienced a four day school week.
The argument is we wouldn’t have summer break which isn’t true if you add an extra 50 mins to each school day. Students may fall behind quicker is another argument people may use against the 4 day school week. If that’s the case a little communication is required, and students can be able to attend school longer to catch up either after school, before school, or on the day they have off they could be called in by what class/classes they are behind in to catch up. Not only would this help build responsibility, and assertiveness in students, but it also helps in students’ independence. They have to make sure they are caught up and keep up with the work which will prepare them for college and after high school more so that a 5 day school week.
In short, the benefits of a four day week schedule, done right, are astronomical, for costs, mental health, building life skills, and for the overall well being of students and teachers. So when do we start to make a change, and why not hasn’t this already been reached towards.
