The question ‘should schools be in session year-round?’ typically receives a hard and fast response from kids: “No!” However, a year-round education system may prove beneficial for both students and staff so as to prevent burnout, as well as retain the information taught so that it will not be forgotten over an extended summer vacation.

To know whether you would like to advocate for year-round schooling or not, people must first understand what a year-long school year actually entails. One popular schedule model for a year-long school year is the 45-15. With this model, students will attend school for a period of 45 days, and then school will go on a break for about three weeks. Other scheduling models include the 90-30 model and the 60-20; 90 or 60 days where school is in session, and 20 or 30 days of break. 

After an extended summer break, becoming reacclimated to a regimented schedule with academics can be demanding at times. With a year-round school schedule, students can increase their retention which can also improve testing scores. With established breaks set throughout the school year, families have the possibility to travel at different times throughout the year and spend more time together with their newfound free time. Likewise, teachers and staff will work throughout the entire year which can help reduce the need for a second job in the summers. School-goers will also be able to still have the weekend off, which may also help alleviate the pressures of having to go to school continually for 10 months with minimal breaks. Students may also be able to cover more information during the school year, thus educating the world’s youth to a greater extent.

Currently, there are very few school districts in the United States that have adopted a year-round school schedule. Although a year-round school schedule has many benefits, not everyone may enjoy such a drastic change in their time. If the decision to have school year-round with the 45-15, 90-30, or 60-20 models is made, then the lives of all students, families, and staff employees will change. Plainly stated, whether a school system adopts or does not adopt a specific school-year schedule, there will be unhappy people and people who wish for things to be different.

So, should schools be in session year-round? This question has long been debated for many years, and surely for years to come. But as more people become aware of the benefits and possibilities of a varied school schedule, people can advocate for what is best for the community and the future.