Illustration of students at school daydreaming about summer activities like swimming and camping

Illustration by Cole Roberts; Shutterstock.com (background); Courtesy of families (Landon and Graylie) 

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Should Summer Break Be Shorter?

Most kids had a couple of months off from school this summer. But not those at Ballentine Elementary School in North Carolina. Their break was only three weeks! 

Kids at Ballentine Elementary go to school for about 180 days each year. That’s the same number as at other schools. But their summer break is shorter. Instead, they have several breaks throughout the year that each last three weeks. 

Some people like a shorter summer break. They say it helps students remember what they learned. But others say kids need a longer summer break to rest.

Here’s what two of our readers say.

I go to Ballentine Elementary. I like the calendar at my school. My summer break is short. But I still feel refreshed when classes restart. And my next long break is just a couple of months away. 

A shorter summer break also helps me in class. I don’t forget everything I learned the year before.

Plus, I like having many long breaks during the school year. I have more time to spend with family and take trips.

Having a long summer break allows kids to relax. Teachers need more time to rest too! 

I love going to summer camp because I get to make new friends. The camp lasts seven weeks. If my summer break were shorter, I might not be able to go at all. Or I might have to leave early and miss out on a lot of the fun. 

Also, we can read on our own over the summer. That way, we don’t lose our reading skills. That’s what I did!

What does your class think?

Should summer break be shorter?

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