Life School, a Dallas area charter school, recently made a bold and innovative change to its structure by moving to a 4-day school week. The 4-day school week is designed to boost student well-being; maintain strong student attendance; provide quality instruction for students; retain and attract quality teachers and staff; and give time back to students and staff to improve overall performance and quality of life. Students attend Monday-Thursday, with most Fridays off.
As we all know, between sports, jobs and extracurricular activities, today’s family is maxed out on time. For many, weekends are often spent taking kids from one sport or activity to another. Factor in all the chores (laundry, cleaning, groceries) that need to be done; by the time Monday rolls around, no one has had time to rest.
But Life School families are discovering a new way of life with a 4-day school week. Now, more than a month into the new school year, students and families are weighing in on the flexibility they enjoy with an extra day.
Catching Up and Getting Ahead
Overwhelmingly, students report that Fridays are a great time to catch up on their schoolwork. With busy schedules and after-school practices, the additional day allows students to complete assignments due the previous week, study for upcoming tests, and get a head start on future projects.
Here are just a few comments students have made praising the flexibility the 4-day school week provides.
“It helps give me more time to myself and time to study.”
“I get more rest on the weekend and have more time to do homework or study.”
“I can study or catch up on school work on my day off or even finish my artwork for art class.”
Life School is also in the process of implementing monthly Intervention Days on campuses, designed to allow students to receive extra support and tutoring outside of the typical school day.
Doing Life’s Chores
Many families have found that the extra day allows them to catch up on all of the mundane chores life requires. Being able to schedule doctors or dentist appointments on the day off without missing valuable instruction time is a relief for parents and students.
“I am able to have doctor and orthodontist appointments on Fridays without having to worry about missing school,” says one student.
Parents also noted that the 4-day structure means one less day sitting in traffic getting students to and from school. Some have even found they are saving on gas!
“The 4-day school week is a blessing. My student has more time to study, and with the cost of gasoline constantly on the rise, it's one less trip that I have to make,” a happy parent tells Life School.
Increasing Productivity
Some students have found that the extra day out of class gives them more time for productivity. Athletes can devote more time to conditioning for their sport, while other students use the time to generate income with part-time jobs or further pursue a skill or talent.
Here’s what Life School students are saying about their efforts outside of the classroom:
“I love the 4-day week. It gives me some time for school work and for my personal life as well as my part-time job.”
“I have more time to focus on activities other than school work such as track and cross country.”
“I have lots of time to relax and focus on my photography along with playing the bass guitar.”
Resting and Rejuvenating
And while the 4-day school week allows everyone to get more done, many are finding some much-needed time for rest. One Life School student tells us, “It's going pretty well for me. I’m able to hang out with school friends with the extra day off and feel way more rested than before with a 2-day weekend.”
Parents feel the same. Everyone can now have some downtime, either for personal recharging or spending more time together as a family.
“We love having the extra time together as a family. It allows us to plan fun outings or trips that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to do. The school day doesn’t feel much longer either, which is also great,” says a parent.
Environmental Learning
Having an extra day off also allows families to take advantage of all that the metroplex offers. Families can now carve out time to take fun educational field trips in the area. Here are some ideas for ways families can spend the day together while learning!
- Explore the Arts - Dallas’ culture and art scene has plenty to offer. From museums, cultural centers, and even the zoo, there are many ways to see the world from a global perspective.
- Check out a Library - Help foster a culture of reading by letting students pick out a book they will enjoy at the local library. And bonus, many libraries offer programming during the week for both younger and older students. Use the Find a Library tool to locate your local library.
- Get Involved - Volunteering for a local non-profit is a great way to teach students about humility through serving others. Pet shelters, food pantries and many other organizations always need an extra hand. Check with local city government or chamber of commerce for ways to plug in!
Thus far, the feedback on the 4-day school is overwhelmingly positive. The new structure allows students to excel in academics and extracurricular activities while still getting more rest and feeling less stressed. Families are spending more time together and accomplishing more!
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Life School is a tuition-free, public charter school with campuses in Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Mountain Creek, Red Oak, Oak Cliff and Waxahachie, TX. Life School develops leaders with life skills through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community. Its mission is accomplished in part through the financial support of donors who provide scholarships and embrace making students ready to learn, ready to lead and ready for life.
