School Schedules

Start times. Snow days. Year-round schooling. Block scheduling. Four-day weeks. Get research and insights into school calendars

Explainer

Year-Round Schooling Explained
Get the facts about year-round schooling, including pros and cons, statistics, and key definitions.
Illustration of calendar and AI assistant.
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Artificial Intelligence Q&A How One District Uses AI to Build More Efficient Master School Schedules
In tight budgetary times, AI can find savings in schools' class schedules.
Arianna Prothero, December 2, 2025
5 min read
A kindergarten student uses the balance beam during recess at Kingsford Heights Elementary in La Porte, Ind., on Oct. 27, 2025.
A kindergarten student uses the balance beam during recess at Kingsford Heights Elementary in La Porte, Ind., on Oct. 27, 2025. Elementary teachers generally believe recess is important, but there's no consensus on how much per day is ideal, new survey data show.
Elizabeth Bunton/La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP
Student Well-Being & Movement From Our Research Center Do Students Get Enough Recess? What Teachers Think
The EdWeek Research Center surveyed teachers about how much recess their students need, and get.
Elizabeth Heubeck, November 19, 2025
5 min read
Illustration of people sticking post-it paper of business plan short notes on big calendar.
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Families & the Community A Guide to Building a School Calendar That Maximizes Attendance
Districts strategically schedule long weekends, work days, and spirit weeks to help boost attendance.
Evie Blad, October 27, 2025
5 min read
Worshippers pray at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2022. Worshippers celebrated Dhanteras, which is the first night of the Hindu holiday Diwali.
Worshippers pray at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2022, the first night of the Hindu holiday Diwali. More districts are putting Diwali and other non-Christian holidays on school calendars as populations of Asian students increase.
Andy Jacobsohn/AP
Families & the Community As Schools Grow More Culturally Diverse, Calendar Planning Gets More Complicated
Districts have added holidays like Diwali to their calendars to reflect demographic shifts in enrollment.
Evie Blad, October 14, 2025
6 min read
The Ocean City Boardwalk is pictured on Aug. 14, 2025, in Ocean City, Md.
The Ocean City Boardwalk is pictured on Aug. 14, 2025, in Ocean City, Md. Some states, including Maryland, have debated whether schools should start after Labor Day to maximize tourism dollars.
Robyn Stevens Brody/Sipa via AP
School & District Management Should Schools Start Before or After Labor Day? The Debate, Explained
Most districts now start before Labor Day. For holdouts, it's often about more than just tradition.
Elizabeth Heubeck, August 29, 2025
4 min read
Calendars, clocks, scheduling and logistical challenges.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion How I Design a Master Schedule No One Hates
Here are the three priorities that guide my school’s planning process.
Ian Knox, August 5, 2025
5 min read
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Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says 4-Day School Weeks May Have Diminishing Returns for Teacher Recruitment
Leaders need to consider wider teacher pools when deciding whether to adopt four-day weeks.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 23, 2025
4 min read
Academic boost sleep circadian start time 1705611814 01
Yutthana Gaetgeaw/iStock/Getty
School & District Management Explainer School Start Times and Student Sleep, Explained
Pediatricians want school to start later so older students can get more sleep. Districts say that's easier said than done.
Evie Blad, June 23, 2025
5 min read
School & District Management Video This District’s Solution to Teacher Burnout? 4-Day School Weeks
A small Ohio district uses a four-day school week to recruit and retain teachers, while improving their work-life balance.
Kaylee Domzalski, June 17, 2025
2:38
Illustration of clock with math and science symbols.
Chris Whetzel for Education Week<br/>
Curriculum Middle Schools Often Prioritize English and Math Over Other Subjects. Should They?
An Illinois district is equalizing time across the four major content areas. But the decision comes with trade-offs.
Sarah Schwartz, June 11, 2025
5 min read
Wild Wednesday BS
Courtesy of Vergennes Union Elementary School
School & District Management Video How One School Transformed Early Release Days With Outdoor Learning
This Vermont school uses Project Wild to build school connection and social-emotional learning on early release days.
Jaclyn Borowski, March 5, 2025
2:48
011725 Boys Charlottesville BS
Middle school boys chat in the hallway at the Community Lab School in Charlottesville, Va. The public charter school prioritizes student autonomy and collaboration, which educators say motivates boys to want to learn.
Courtesy of Don Barnes
Student Well-Being & Movement Middle School Is Tough for Boys. One School Found the 'Secret Sauce' for Success
Hands-on learning, choice, and other evidence-based practices help boys thrive.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 27, 2025
9 min read
Students work in groups to build roller coasters during the innovation period at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore, Md.
Middle schoolers work in groups to build roller coasters during an innovation period at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland in Baltimore on Oct. 24, 2024. The private school has reworked its schedule to give students more time for choice and socializing.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement What 'Boy-Friendly' Changes Look Like at Every Grade Level
An all-boys school gave students more autonomy and time for socializing. The results have been powerful.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 27, 2025
9 min read
Image of a calendar showing a 4 day workweek.
Anastasiia Yanishevska/iStock/Getty
School & District Management 4-Day School Weeks and Their Surprising Effect on Teacher Turnover
Four-day school weeks are more popular than ever. But a main district desire in making the switch might not pan out, new research suggests.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, October 17, 2024
4 min read