Would You Switch Your Kid to a 4-Day School Week?

Ninety percent of Canadians and 77 percent of Americans agree that a four-day workweek would improve their lives. A shorter week has been shown to improve productivity at work and even revenue. It’s a no-brainer, especially for parents who could benefit from an extra weekend day for appointments, shopping and let’s be honest, resting.

But what about a four-day school week? A study by Prodigy Education reveals that just over half of the parents surveyed would be in favour of a shorter school week. While kids deserve a break too, would one less day of school be a scheduling nightmare for parents?

The Prodigy study

Prodigy makes a math video game that both teachers and kids (mine included) love. The company surveyed more than 1000 Americans. Of them, 80 percent were parents, 59 percent were women and 41 percent were men. Most parents were millennials (65 percent), followed by Gen X at 30 percent, with a small percentage of Gen Z (4 percent) and baby boomers (2 percent).

The results

• 56 percent of parents support a four-day school week
• Gen Z parents are the strongest supporters (67 percent), followed by millennials (57 percent) and Gen X parents (51 percent)
• Over half of parents (56 percent) would consider changing jobs or work schedules to enroll their kids in a four-day school
• Forty percent of parents would consider switching schools for a shorter week

Joshua Prieur, Director of Educator Enablement at Prodigy Education, says that Gen Z parents seem more inclined towards flexible, family-centred lifestyles—which aligns well with the idea of a four-day school week. “This generation grew up with more emphasis on mental health and work-life balance, so it’s no surprise they’re leading the way in rethinking traditional school schedules.”

He adds that parents’ willingness to change jobs to accommodate a shorter week for their kids shows how committed families are to prioritizing their children’s well-being. “It’s clear that flexibility in both education and employment is becoming a top priority for today’s families.”

Benefits for families

A four-day school week would mean one less morning spent dragging kids out of bed and out the door. It also means one less lunch to make. But the benefits aren’t only for parents. The top reason the survey respondents supported a four-day school week? Reducing student burnout (80 percent).

“A shorter school week perhaps gives some families breathing room to focus on shared experiences, hobbies and rest—key elements in preventing burnout. This break can help students reset mentally, ultimately improving both academic performance and emotional well-being. Our research shows that 61 percent of parents believe an extra day off would allow them to better support their child’s education at home,” says Prieur.

Benefits cited in the study:

• Reducing student burnout (80 percent)
• Improving students’ mental health (77 percent)
• Increasing family bonding time (76 percent)
• More flexibility for vacations or personal time (65 percent)
• More time for extracurricular activities (49 percent)
• Reducing transportation costs (29 percent)
• Potential for less bullying (16 percent)

Challenges and concerns

While in some ways, a short week sounds amazing, what the heck do you do on day five? Scheduling conflicts topped the list of concerns among parents who oppose a short school week with finding affordable childcare close behind. So the short-week opposers seemed unwilling—or unable—to change jobs or schedules. There’s likely some financial privilege involved in choosing a shorter week.

Critics of a short school week point out that kids who are food insecure and rely on breakfast and lunch programs may not have access to healthy meals on their days off.

Drawbacks cited in the study:

• Scheduling conflicts (80 percent)
• Finding affordable childcare for the day off (59 percent)
• Negative impacts on student performance (59 percent)
• Worried about the potential for more screen time (52 percent)
• Worried about kids moving less (44 percent)
• More risk of student isolation (34 percent)

The rise of the four-day school week

Nearly 900 school districts across the U.S. have already adopted a four-day school week—up from 650 in 2019—especially in rural areas where saving money and keeping teachers happy are top priorities. Supporters say it cuts costs, helps with teacher burnout, and gives families more flexibility. But is it all sunshine and extra pyjama days? Some studies suggest student achievement takes a small hit, while plenty of parents love the change.

A 2021 study found that students in schools with four-day school weeks performed slightly worse in math and reading compared to kids with traditional five-day schedules. Another study showed that while fewer hours per week saved schools up to five percent in operational costs, test scores showed slower growth over time.

But it's not all bad. A study in Oklahoma found that schools making the switch saw a 39 percent drop in bullying incidents and 31 percent fewer fights. Plus, both kids and teachers report feeling less stressed and more balanced, thanks to the extra day to recharge.

Making the four-day week work

Districts that have successfully implemented a four-day schedule often use Fridays (or Mondays) for teacher planning, professional development and optional enrichment activities for students. They address common concerns through:

• Longer school days: Some schools extend daily hours to compensate for lost instructional time.
• Community partnerships: Schools collaborate with local organizations to provide childcare, meals and enrichment activities on the extra day off.
• Flexible learning: Some districts incorporate virtual learning or independent study assignments to ensure students stay engaged.

Prieur says that the biggest trade-offs revolve around balancing flexibility with the practical challenges of childcare. "Success depends on how well schools and families collaborate to ensure the extra day is both productive and supportive.”

Experts

• Joshua Prieur, Director, Educator Enablement, Prodigy Education.