Year-round school: Understanding the pros and cons

I remember the first time I encountered year-round schooling. It was in the summer of 1992, when I was visiting out-of-state family members in Las Vegas. A neighborhood kid I became friends with told me their summer break was ending. It was peak July — weren't all schools still on vacation? And a much more important question arose in my mind: Whom was I going to play Nintendo with for the next few weeks?

It turns out that Las Vegas was an early adopter of year-round schedules for some of its schools. But it's not the only one. The most recent study from the National Center for Education Statistics indicated that approximately 3% of public schools operate on year-round schedules. 

If it's an option in your area, you might be wondering how year-round school works. 

What is year-round schooling?

Schools that follow a year-round schedule don't have the standard 10- to 12-week summer vacation. Instead, kids attend classes throughout the calendar year, with short breaks following each long session. 

Reduced breaks mean kids (theoretically, at least) benefit from higher learning retention rates. Year-round schooling can also be a good way to save money for resource-stretched school districts.

Key features of year-round schooling

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In a year-round school, kids attend classes for six to nine weeks at a time. Once a session ends, they receive a short break that lasts between two and four weeks. Year-round schools follow the same federal holidays as other public schools. They also get time off for a spring and winter break.

A key difference between traditional and year-round schools is the length of the breaks. A traditional school offers a week or two off for the winter holidays, a spring break, and then a long summer vacation. 

In year-round schools, the breaks are much shorter than the classic summer vacation. Even with the briefer, more frequent breaks, students generally spend the same amount of time in class — typically 180 days each calendar year.

The debate: Year-round vs. traditional schooling

The pros and cons of year-round schooling are a hot topic in education. Some proponents say the extended school schedule improves learning retention and test scores, particularly in areas like math.

To date, most U.S. schools retain the traditional model with a lengthy summer break. But in some countries, year-round schooling is normal. Japan and Australia both follow year-round school models. And in China and India, students spend between 25% and 30% more time in school than U.S. kids.

Advantages of year-round schooling

Enrolling your kids in a year-round school can offer a few benefits. 

Reduced summer learning loss

Over the summer, kids forget some of the things they learned during the prior school year. That's entirely normal. But some educators believe that year-round schooling can help solidify their knowledge, reducing the summer learning loss.

In one study, test results improved slightly for students in year-round schools. 

More frequent breaks for students

The promise of an upcoming break — one they don't have to wait nine months for — gives kids an opportunity to get away from the pressure of quizzes and exams. The breaks are just long enough to provide genuine refreshment, without leading to kids forgetting everything they've learned.

Cost savings for schools

Some school districts move to year-round schooling for its financial benefits. Offering year-round, multi-track learning can reduce the need to build new schools that require a significant upfront investment.

Increased opportunities for intervention

If a kid or teen needs additional learning support, they may have extra learning opportunities through year-round schools. These schools may be able to offer additional assistance for English as a Second Language (ESL) students or tutoring support for different classes.

Challenges of year-round schooling

Transitioning to a year-round schedule isn't a perfect solution. There are some drawbacks to be aware of.

Logistical considerations

Introducing a year-round school schedule can be impossible for some districts. There may be too few teachers to support a year-round schedule or problems managing extracurricular activities. 

Some schools may not have enough facilities to support year-round schooling, so they may need to invest in additional buildings or classrooms before it can be a realistic option. 

Stakeholder resistance

Stakeholders involved in school schedules may not like the idea of a year-round option. Students may miss their lengthy summer breaks. Parents may find it challenging to locate childcare for their kids during the short breaks of a year-round schedule. And teachers may have difficulty avoiding burnout. 

Any resistance from stakeholders can put year-round schooling on ice — even temporarily.

Impact on family schedules

Moving schools to a year-round schedule may reduce the amount of family time available between you and your kids. Without an extended summer break, it may be harder to work in an annual family vacation. 

Older teens hoping to earn extra money may also find it harder to find part-time jobs that accommodate their schedule.

Year-round schools in the United States

As someone who's interested in everything about parenting, where can you find year-round schools in the U.S.? It depends. 

While most states continue to adhere to traditional school schedules, some are branching into the year-round model. In South Carolina, approximately 25% of students attend year-round schools. And in California, year-round schedules are quite common, with more than 870 schools offering them.

If your local public school district doesn't offer a year-round option, you might be able to find a private school that does.

Final thoughts on year-round schooling

Whether a year-round schedule is superior depends partly on your parenting style and unique concerns. You may find that a longer school year improves your kid's learning retention and academic achievements. On the other hand, it can turn your family's schedule upside down. 

The final verdict: Only you and your family can decide whether year-round schooling is the right choice. 

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