The five-day school week is the norm, but it’s time to reconsider if it really is optimal in a time ofhigh stress among students and educators. A growing number of school districts are trying out the four-day school week, and the results show that this schedule could promote mental health and well-being for all parts of a school’s community. 

   For students, a three-day weekend provides an opportunity for relaxing and having fun. Classes, homework, and extracurriculars leave little time to rest and unwind. So, an extra day off lets students focus on personal interests, family, or self-care instead of academic pressure. This break can also help decrease anxiety and depression, improving overall health, as well as motivation and engagement in school. In multiple ways, the four-day school week is an approach that addresses the root causes of stress, rather than just trying to fix the symptoms. 

   While students benefit from four-day weeks, so do teachers. Because of the hours needed to plan lessons, grade, and attend professional development, which can often extend into weekends, the workload for them is sky-high. A four-day work week offers an extra day to tackle these challenges, potentially leading to a better work-life balance. This can reduce teacher burnout, improve job satisfaction, and attract job prospectors to the profession. When educators are well-rested and prepared, they are better able to provide engaging material, give clear instruction, and foster a positive classroom environment.       

   While some may worry that four-day weeks will bring up logistical challenges such as longer school days, these problems are solvable. For example, many districts have successfully condensed the school schedule by slightly extending school days to meet the instructional time requirements. A flexible schedule that prioritizes well-being is the solution, not an option, to creating a healthier and more effective education system.