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Home > > September 7, 2026 > Should the School Week Be Shorter?
Two children leave a school past a sign that reads No School On Friday — Ever Again

Illustrations by Mike Deas; Debate photos courtesy of familes

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Should the School Week Be Shorter?

Imagine having every Friday off from school. Kids at Cornell Elementary in Iowa do. Since 2024, students there have been going to classes for only four days a week. More than 900 school districts across the country have a similar schedule.

Why shorten the school week? One reason is to save money. Schools spend less on buses and other things when they are closed. A four-day week also gives students and teachers a longer break.

But many people worry that a four-day week could cause kids to miss out on learning. Plus, to make up for the day off, many districts add up to 50 minutes to each of the other four days. Some people say longer days can be tiring for both students and teachers.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

I go to Cornell Elementary. I love not having school on Fridays. My classmates and I get to spend more time with our families. My family bakes desserts together on the extra day off.

The shorter school week also allows kids to rest their minds. Coming back on Monday feels easier when our brains have a longer break. Students are more excited to learn.

A four-day week benefits teachers too. It gives them more time to plan their lessons. Having Fridays off helps our entire school feel refreshed.

Shortening the school week could make teachers’ jobs harder. They might rush to fit their lessons into four days. That could cause kids to fall behind. Every day spent in the classroom helps students improve.

A four-day week could also mean less time for important subjects. Students could miss out on art, music, and science. I would be sad if I didn’t get to study bugs and fossils.

Changing the school schedule could also create problems for parents who work. Childcare can be expensive and hard to find.

What does your class think?

Should the school week be shorter? 

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Should the school week be shorter? 

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Should the school week be shorter? 

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