An American high school is pretty different from a German high school. One big difference I noticed quite quickly is the school calendar. In Germany, the schools follow a year-round calendar. Here in America, most of the schools have a long summer break (which lasts between 10 and 12 weeks) and rather short breaks throughout the school year. In the United States, about 10% of the students attend a school with a year-round schedule. There are about 3,100 schools with this kind of school calendar in the U.S.
In a year-round school calendar, there are six to nine weeks in a row of instruction which are broken up by up to two-week breaks. In Germany, the exact calendar differs from state to state. For example, in my state Brandenburg, we have 6 weeks of summer break, 2 weeks of fall break, 1.5 weeks of Christmas break, 1 week of winter break between the two semesters and 2 weeks of spring/easter break. Furthermore, there are sometimes extended weekends because of national holidays like Ascension of Christ or Pentecost. However, there are still about 180 days of instruction.
Supporters of a year-round school argue that it reduces teacher and student burnout because it gives them a break right when they need it. Furthermore, you can enjoy time off in every season without missing school. This also allows families to travel more other than in summer. A Duke university study suggested that students attending a year-round school are at a slight advantage because they don’t forget what they learned during the long summer break.
However, there are also advantages to a traditional school calendar. The learning won’t be disrupted within a school year because of several breaks. So, the students don’t have to “get used” to school again after a break so many times. Moreover, the students might be more able to enjoy their summers fully and don’t have to go to school when it is hot outside.
From my experience, I prefer a year-round school calendar more. I just like it that there are several breaks within the school year, and you get time off. Yet, the summer break is still long enough to travel, hang out with friends and work a few weeks. However, students having jobs and sports seasons for example are handled differently in Germany which might affect the school calendar and my preference as well.
Questions
What do you think about a year-round school calendar?
Do you prefer a year-round or traditional school calendar?
Should the summer break be shorter to have more breaks within the school year?
Sources
http://c-hit.org/2017/08/18/year-round-schools-gaining-popularity-nationally/
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/is-it-time-to-reconsider-the-year-round-school-schedule/2020/06
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/year-round-schooling-explained/2015/12
https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/pros-and-cons-of-year-round-school
https://www.wtps.org/cms/lib8/NJ01912980/Centricity/Domain/1794/Should_school_be_year_round.pdf
Replies
I would prefer the traditional school calandar. I can understand why some people might want more frequent breaks from school, but I think it would be difficult for me to go back to school after all thes breaks. I also wouldn't trade any summer days for breaks during the school year.
In my opinion, I would rather have a traditional school calendar because during summer, you usually don't have to think about school for weeks/months, while in a year round school a two week break here and there would make them rusty when they come back and would never fully get to enjoy a long break. Personally, I believe that the summer break should stay where it is.
Year round would suck, either way whatever way we do it as long as we hurry up the days ill be just fine with how things are going. I would not care about the beniftts or anything like that. I would just more like it if I got closer to graduation.
I think a year round calander would benfit some students but wouldnt be the best idea. I prefer a traditional school year so that way I have more free time and less stress. I think the summer break still should be longer.
I can understand your point. Personally, I like it more to have the free time split up during the year.
I personaly perfer a traditional school calendar because of the long time you get off during the summer, I feel having the time off to go on vacations with your family during the summer is better than a two to three week in the fall or winter. I think a year round school is good for those who want breaks every so often. I think that summer break would have to be shorter to have more breaks within a school year.
Yes, everyone has different preferences regarding the amount of breaks they want.
I think it would be cool to do a year-round calandar, but also a lot different. I likehaving the long summer break and not having to even worry about going back to school. I feel like if our school was to do this type of calandar I would constantly be dreading going back to school. I think the lots of little longer breaks would be nice too.
I agree with you. The two calendars are pretty different.
Personally, I think a year-round calandar would be good. This way you won't forget what you learn during summer. You also have more spreadout time instead of having lots of weeks off and then going back. I think it's easier to travel this way. You get to remember what you learn while still getting free time.
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