Why We Should Have Four-Day School Weeks

By Relaida Collaku 

June 6, 2025 

Let’s face it, school can be overwhelming. Between classes, homework, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, family responsibilities, and trying to maintain a social life, high school students are constantly stretched thin. We wake up early, rush through our routines, spend hours sitting in classrooms, and then go home to more work. By the time Friday arrives, many of us are running on fumes. That is why it is time for Colonie Central High School to consider adopting a four-day school week. Not because we want to do less, but because we deserve a smarter, healthier, and more balanced way to learn and live.

Across the United States, hundreds of school districts in states like Colorado, Texas, and Oregon have already made the switch to a four-day school week. The results are promising. Students are showing up more often, stress levels are dropping, and academic performance is either staying consistent or actually improving. If it is working for those schools, then it can work for Colonie Central too. 

One of the biggest benefits of a four-day week is the opportunity for rest and recovery. Most students are not getting enough sleep, especially during the school week. Sleep deprivation makes it harder to focus in class, retain information, and perform well on assignments and tests. A three-day weekend would give us the chance to catch up on sleep, reset our minds, and return to school more alert and prepared.

Student stress and anxiety are real, and they are getting worse. According to national studies, mental health challenges among high school students have increased significantly over the past decade. While a shorter school week is not a complete solution, it is a step in the right direction. Having an extra day off would give students more time to relax, spend with family and friends, or simply breathe without the constant pressure of school-related responsibilities. It is not about avoiding work, but about taking care of ourselves so we can work more effectively.

Imagine what we could do with that extra day. Students could use it to get ahead on assignments, work part-time jobs to support their families, volunteer in the community, explore creative interests, prepare for college or career opportunities, or just rest and recharge. Education is not limited to the classroom. A four-day week would open the door for personal growth, independence, and real-world experiences that are just as valuable as anything we learn in a textbook.

The traditional five-day school week is based on an outdated model that no longer fits the world we live in. Today’s students face new challenges and responsibilities, and our schedules should reflect that reality. We live in a fast-paced world that values efficiency, mental health, and balance. A four-day school week is a modern solution that could help students succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.

If we truly want Colonie Central High School to be a place that supports students rather than drains us,

then it is time to start having serious conversations about change. A four-day school week is not about doing less. It is about doing better. Let’s create a schedule that reflects who we are and what we need in order to thrive.