Editorial: A 4-day school day is the right way

We are all used to the 5-day school week. Parents at work? The kids are at school. But that may be changing. Broward County Public Schools is considering changes to the school calendar for the 2024–2025 school year that would result in a 4-day school week. They are entertaining this decision after reviewing a local high school’s success with the concept.

For years, Pompano Beach High School has been operating on a 4-day school week. The results? They say exemplary. School grades are up. Students are excelling. On the 5th day, students are interning at a local business or catching up on school work. Teachers and instructional staff are lesson planning or catching up on grades. Staff at the high school say that the 4-day school week has successfully contributed to the school’s excellence. We agree. We evaluated the data and findings, and we urge the School Board of Broward County to adopt a 4-day school week.

Broward Schools has faced massive issues with failing schools, poor student achievement, low test scores, and schools losing enrollment. We believe that a 4-day school week would put Broward School back on track to success. Opponents say that a 4-day school week only works at Pompano Beach High because those students are “high-achieving students” who are “primed for success." That assertion is uniformed at best and elitist at worst. If anything, this type of calendar would work best for at-risk and failing students across the county. After all, it produced higher achievement at Pompano Beach High School.

Opponents also claim that a 4-day school week would hurt working-class parents who work full-time. If these students aren’t in school, where are they, and how can their parents ensure their success? This is a valid concern. That’s why we believe that a 4-day school week should include school-based internships and study halls—keeping students off the streets and productive. This isn’t an either-or situation. Broward Schools can and should pilot this idea to test its success.

The data and findings are clear and decisive. Broward schools must make the right decision by moving towards a 4-day school week.