As the debate around the four-day school week gains traction in districts across the United States, Floresville Independent School District (ISD) is set to join the conversation. Following a survey conducted in December 2024, which revealed strong support for the shorter schedule, the Floresville ISD School Board is preparing to vote on the proposal in a meeting scheduled for March 3, 2025. While the decision could mark a significant shift in the region’s educational approach, the idea of shortening the school week has raised questions about its long-term impacts on student achievement, teacher retention, and family dynamics.
The concept of a four-day school week is not new; 650 districts in 24 states have already adopted this model, primarily in rural areas where the benefits of cost savings, improved teacher recruitment, and increased community support are seen as vital. However, as reported by the NWEA, research on the effects of this change remains mixed. While some districts have experienced success, others have faced challenges with maintaining academic performance. Nevertheless, despite these uncertainties, the idea has been met with enthusiasm from families in Floresville, who are hoping the district can replicate the success seen in other rural communities across the country.
Why are school districts considering a four-day week?
One of the most significant drivers behind the four-day school week proposal in Floresville is the need to attract and retain quality teachers. As Blanca Martinez, a communications specialist for Floresville ISD, noted in a report by KSAT.com, the district views the potential schedule change as a tool for teacher recruitment. By offering a shorter workweek, the district hopes to enhance work-life balance for educators and make the community a more attractive destination for new staff.
Martinez further highlighted that the hybrid calendar plan, which is part of the proposal, would begin the school year with traditional five-day weeks and gradually transition to four-day weeks later in the semester. This phased approach would allow the district to test the new schedule and gather feedback before making it a permanent fixture in the school year.
While the benefits for teachers are clear, the impact on students is a bit more uncertain. According to the NWEA report, while research on student performance in districts with four-day weeks has shown mixed results, some studies indicate that students may fall behind due to fewer days spent in the classroom. On average, districts that have adopted a four-day week schedule are open for about 31 fewer days per year compared to their five-day counterparts, a factor that could potentially affect the academic progress of students. However, many districts have countered this by extending the length of the school day, adding an average of 50 minutes per day to make up for the lost time.
Strong community support for the proposal
The recent survey conducted by Floresville ISD yielded impressive results, with 68% of respondents—comprising staff, parents, and students—expressing support for the shortened schedule or a hybrid four-day option. As reported by the San Antonio News, the district’s efforts to involve the community in the decision-making process have paid off, as the proposal has garnered widespread backing. In particular, 76.2% of staff members believe that the four-day week would have a positive impact on their families, while 72.4% of staff believe it would improve student attendance.
Despite these favorable responses, some concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the new schedule. Critics, such as Pam Smith, a retired teacher from Floresville, expressed doubts, believing that a shorter school week would lead to more idle time for students. On the other hand, Nathan and Brie Smith, parents of children enrolled in La Vernia ISD, which adopted a four-day week in 2023, voiced their strong support for the concept. As quoted by KSAT.com, Brie Smith stated, “I love it. It’s the day that we can jam-pack with allergy appointments and pageant practices.” The Smith family’s perspective underscores how the extra day off can provide flexibility for families with busy schedules.
What does the research say about four-day weeks?
According to the NWEA‘s research, while the four-day school week may offer some benefits in terms of cost savings and teacher retention, the academic impacts remain inconclusive. Some studies have shown that students in districts with four-day weeks perform slightly worse than their peers in five-day schools. This drop in performance, roughly equivalent to being two to seven weeks behind, is particularly pronounced in districts that shorten their school days to fewer than 30 hours per week. Conversely, districts that maintain 32 hours or more of school per week show little to no significant academic decline.
On the positive side, proponents argue that the schedule enhances the school climate by reducing high school bullying incidents and increasing sleep for elementary students. Additionally, families in districts that have implemented the four-day week, including those in Floresville, have expressed strong satisfaction with the change. In fact, surveys show that 84% of families and 95% of students in four-day week districts would opt for the schedule again, citing benefits like reduced stress, increased family time, and flexibility for appointments, as reported by NWEA.
Balancing benefits with concerns
As Floresville ISD moves forward with its proposal, the district will have to carefully consider the impacts on both student learning and family life. While the hybrid model offers a flexible transition to the new schedule, the district must also be mindful of the potential academic gaps that may arise due to fewer school days. Additionally, there are concerns about how the district will address childcare needs on the extra day off, an issue that has been raised in other districts that have implemented the four-day week. Floresville ISD is currently exploring options to provide childcare and meals to students, which will be discussed further in the upcoming school board meeting in March.
As the proposal is voted on and implemented, the district will likely continue to monitor the results and adjust the plan based on feedback from the community and educational experts. Whether or not Floresville ISD’s plan can mirror the success seen in other rural districts will depend on its ability to balance the various factors at play, including teacher retention, student performance, and family satisfaction.
While the four-day week might not be a one-size-fits-all solution for every district, Floresville ISD is taking a step toward reshaping the traditional educational calendar in a way that could benefit both teachers and students. Whether it becomes a long-term success or a temporary experiment remains to be seen, but the ongoing discussion highlights a growing trend in education that may reshape the future of teaching and learning across the country.
Sources: San Antonio News, KSAT.com, NWEA.org
