Northeast of Des Moines in central Iowa, the Collins-Maxwell Community School District, with 400 students, is among many shifting to a four-day school week. Like other rural schools, the district faces teacher shortages and views the shorter week as a recruitment advantage. The move also aims to reduce student absences, which often occur on Mondays and Fridays.
Initially maintaining a five-day schedule in August and September, the district will now close middle and high schools on most Mondays, extending other school days to meet Iowa’s instructional hour requirements. Superintendent Marc Snavely noted observing nearby schools adopting a similar schedule and expects benefits like improved teacher morale and reduced burnout. “Ultimately, the ‘why’ behind the four-day school week came down to staff recruitment and retention,” Snavely stated, emphasizing the competitive edge for the small district.
Surrounding districts reported fewer discipline issues and better attendance with the four-day week, a model that helps rural schools manage budgets amid uncertain K-12 funding. However, education researchers, including Emily Morton from the Northwest Evaluation Association, warn that the expected benefits lack empirical support, and extended school days may negatively impact academic performance. Despite this, the four-day schedule enjoys high approval among parents and students…