90 learning days (starting the fourth week of August).

The school year consists of two 90-day learning blocks, with a 30-day break after each. Like the 45-15 and 60-20 plans, this schedule factors in holidays. On the 90-20 plan, students attend school for 90 days, followed by 30 days off. 40-day summer recess or intersession (starting the last week of July).60 learning days (starting the first week of May).20-day recess or intersession (starting the second week of April).60 learning days (starting the third week of January).20-day recess or intersession (starting the fourth week of December).60 learning days (starting the last week of September).Instead of four learning blocks, students learn during three 60-day blocks scheduled over the course of the year, separated by four weeks of vacation. Schools close for holidays that are built into the calendar. On the 60-20 plan, students attend school for 60 days, followed by 20 days off. 30-day summer recess or intersession (starting the second week of June).45 learning days (starting the second week of April).15-day recess or intersession (starting the third week of March).45 learning days (starting the third week of January).15-day recess or intersession (over Christmas and New Year’s).15 learning days (starting at the end of November or beginning of December).30 learning days (starting the third week of October).20-day recess or intersession (starting the second week of October).45 learning days (starting the fourth week of July).In all, students attend four 45-day sessions over 12 months. Schools still close for certain holidays that are built into the calendar. On the 45-15 plan, students attend school for 45 days, followed by 15 days off. What exactly do year-round schedules look like? Some popular alternatives to the traditional schedule include the 45-15, 60-20, and 90-30 plans. Today, 10 percent of students in the country attend schools that have adopted year-round schedules in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Although the idea has been around for a long time, the change to year-round school has not been widely implemented. After learning blocks, schools break for sessions that last weeks rather than months. What’s the difference? Year-round schedules still offer students 180 days of instruction, but those days are spread out over 12 months. Now, however, some districts are adopting a year-round schedule. They suggest this extensive time off is more likely the legacy of wealthy urban dwellers leaving the city for long periods to escape the heat. Others observe that actual harvesting cycles don’t require long summer breaks. Some link it to our nation’s agrarian roots, saying it dates back to times when the US economy was based on farming and harvest cycles. Students get a summer vacation, as well as breaks in winter and spring. Many people think of the school year as starting in August or at the beginning of September and continuing for 10 months.

Examining the pros and cons of year-round school gives insight into why some education leaders push for its adoption while others argue for sticking to the traditional 10-month schedule. Is the traditional 10-month school year, starting around Labor Day and ending at the beginning of summer, still relevant? Year-round school, an alternative format, may offer valuable benefits.

Schools in session