Picture having only four days of school each week. Kids in more than 900 districts across the U.S. don’t have to imagine it! Their schools are closed on either Mondays or Fridays.
One of the main goals of four-day weeks is to save money. Schools spend less on buses, electricity, and other expenses when they are closed. Supporters of a shorter week also point out that it can be helpful for both teachers and students.
“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 Des Moines, Iowa. His school switched to a four-day week in 2024.
But critics worry that shrinking the school week could cause kids to lose out on valuable learning time. And to make up for some of that time off, many schools add about 50 minutes to the other four days. Some people argue that longer school days can be more tiring for both students and teachers.