ARKANSAS, USA — More and more schools across the U.S. are opting into 4-day school weeks, and Arkansas schools are no exception.
As of April 2024, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Data Center lists almost 100 schools across the state as enrolled or enrolling in a 4-day week schedule, but how does this impact the kids?
Sarah McKenzie, a research professor at the U of A says a study they conducted showed that the shortened schedule had no measurable negative impact on students' academic growth, achievement, or absences.
The Huntsville School District, which adopted the new schedule starting in 2024, will offer childcare certification classes to help address the added need for CPR-certified babysitters.
The Lincoln School District in Washington transitioned in fall 2023, deciding to drop Monday classes in favor of an extra hour or so Tuesday through Friday. Lincoln High School Principal Stan Karber said he began seeing an improvement almost right away.
“We have learned to take advantage of every opportunity and not waste any time to optimize our educational experience and turn it up a notch," said Karber. "We’re earning that extra day off."
After an adjustment period, Karber said he saw the highest attendance —and the lowest amount of behavioral problems— in his four years as principal.
On the other hand, although the extra day off can be exciting for kids, one Associated Press (AP) report shared just how taxing it can be for working parents. Brandi Pruente, a French language teacher who works five days a week in Kansas City, reportedly struggled with finding activities to "keep her kids entertained and off electronics."
According to the Associated Press, while surveys show parents approve of the schedule change overall, that support is lower amongst parents of younger children.
Arkansas Schools With a 4-Day Week (Organized by County):
- Baxter
- Norfork Elementary School
- Boone
- Alpena Elementary School
- Alpena High School
- Carroll
- Green Forest Intermediate School
- Green Forest High School
- Chicot
- Arkansas Consolidated High School - Dermott
- Clark
- Centerpoint Elementary School
- Centerpoint High School
- Centerpoint Academy of Agriculture and Skilled Trades
- Craighead
- Buffalo Island Central High School
- Faulkner
- Guy-Perkins Elementary School
- Guy-Perkins High School
- Mayflower Elementary School
- Mayflower Middle School
- Mayflower High School
- Fulton
- Viola Elementary School
- Viola High School
- Garland
- Cutter-Morning Star Elementary School
- Cutter-Morning Star High School
- Mountain Pine Elementary School
- Mountain Pine High School
- Grant
- Poyen Elementary School
- Poyen High School
- Hempstead
- Randy Hughes Elementary School
- Blevins High School
- Hot Spring
- Bismarck Elementary School
- Bismarck Middle School
- Bismarck High School
- Ouachita Elementary School
- Ouachita High School
- Howard
- Joann Walters Elementary School
- Dierks High School
- Mineral Springs Elementary School
- Mineral Springs High School
- Johnson
- Johnson County Westside School District
- Lonoke
- England Elementary School
- England High School
- Madison
- St. Paul Elementary School
- St. Paul High School
- Watson Primary School
- Huntsville Middle School
- Huntsville Intermediate School
- Huntsville High School
- Marion
- Bruno-Pyatt Elementary
- Mississippi
- Armorel Elementary School
- Armorel High School
- Buffalo Island Central Elementary
- Rivercrest Elementary School
- Rivercrest Junior High Prep Academy
- Academies at Rivercrest High School
- Montgomery
- Caddo Hills Elementary School
- Caddo Hills Academy
- Nevada
- Nevada Elementary School
- Nevada High School
- Newton
- Deer K-12 School
- Mt. Judea K-12 School
- Western Grove Elementary
- Ozark Mountain High School
- Perry
- Anne Watson Elementary School
- Bigelow High School
- Perryville Elementary School
- Perryville High School
- Pike
- Kirby Elementary School
- Kirby High School
- Poinsett
- Trumann Elementary School
- Trumann Middle School
- Trumann High School
- Arkansas Consolidated High School Dermott
- Polk
- Cossatot River Elementary School
- Cossatot River Middle School
- Cossatot River High School
- Pope
- Atkins Elementary School
- Atkins Middle School
- Atkins High School
- Hector Elementary School
- Hector High School
- Pulaski
- Graduate Arkansas Charter High School
- The Excel Center Little Rock (adult high school)
- Arkansas Consolidated High School Alexander
- Searcy
- St. Joe Elementary
- Sebastian
- Arkansas Consolidated High School Mansfield
- St. Francis
- Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School
- Palestine-Wheatley Senior High School
- Washington
- The Excel Center Springdale (adult high school)
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Lincoln Middle School
- Lincoln High School
- Yell
- Western Yell County Elementary School
- Western Yell County High School
Note: This list was compiled in April 2024, and may be subject to change over time. If you notice any incorrect information, please email KFSMDigtalTeam@tegna.com.
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