In the early 2000s, several schools across the nation changed their schedules from a five-day school week (Monday to Friday) to a more accessible alternative, a school week of only four days. Today, over 850 school districts nationally have gone to a four-day schedule, and a considerable amount of controversy has subsequently arisen.
Many schools, changing to this 4-day schedule, are smaller and are trying to keep and bring in teachers. One of the benefits of going to a four-day schedule is that teacher morale and student attendance rates are higher. When asked about their opinion regarding a 4-day schedule at La Jolla High, Ophie Chen, a freshman, said, “For the students, it would be cool, but the teachers would likely have to do more work.” Not only would the school weeks become shorter, but the school year becomes shorter; an average school year is 6 hours per day for 180 days, while a four-day schedule is 7.5 hours a day for 144 days.
For the students, it would be cool, but the teachers would likely have to do more work. — Ophie Chen, freshman
However, there is a wide range of cons for going to a four-day schedule that justifies the majority of California not having made the switch. The amount of hours a day can affect younger students–and parents. The average American household has two parents who work about 7.8 hours a day; when the students get out on Thursday, the parents still have to go to work, leading to expenses for the child’s care, nannies, babysitters, etc. Currently, in California, there are only two small remote school districts going to this new schedule: Leggett Valley Unified in Mendocino County and Big Sur Unified in Monterey County.
When asked if they believed La Jolla High switching to this schedule in the future would be beneficial, senior Victoria Miano said, “I believe we should have it because it’s extremely useful to help catch up on school work.” Regardless of the various pros and cons of both sides, the future of our district is undeniably in the hands of the students.
