Year-Round Calendars

Summary This research brief explores the implementation and operation of year-round calendars at four school districts. The report discusses why and how profiled districts implemented a year-round calendar, as well as how the calendar impacts athletic programs, staff pay, and childcare options. The final section examines the effects of year-round calendars on student achievement and school budgets. Key observations from our research 1. Profiled districts operate varying numbers of schools on year-round calendars. 2. Gather feedback from parents and teachers on plans to implement year-round calendars before beginning the transition to year-round schools. 3. Use intersessions (i.e., a scheduled break between a period of school days) to provide academic support to students and hold professional development trainings for staff. 4. Schedule intersessions that overlap with the vacations of schools using traditional calendars and do not overlap with mandatory testing. 5. Research on whether year-round calendars improve student academic performance is inconclusive. Download the Report