• Who is currently utilizing the 4 day week in Colorado?
114 school districts, constituting 64% of the 178 school districts in Colorado, plus one Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) operated school and select schools of the Charter School Institute utilize the four-day school week.
• Why should school only be 4 days a week?
Better Teacher and Student Morale – The four-day format provides opportunities for an extra work day at an after-school job, engaging in volunteer activities or pursuing additional educational goals. Also, students who are athletes don’t miss as much class and have less work to do when events occur on a day off.
• Are people happy with the 4 day week?
According to national and state data, prior to adopting a 4-day week program, when surveyed, students are 85% in favor, parents are nearly 70% in favor, and staff are over 90% in favor of 4-day instructional weeks. After adoption, data indicates students, parents and staff are over 95% in favor. VSC core values focus on the success and wellbeing of our students and teachers, and the 4 day model was implemented with them in mind.
• What about family and personal Schedules?
Research indicates that student, teacher, support staff, and parent schedules allow for more flexibility, which leads to increased attendance in students and school staff. Absenteeism is significantly lower as pre-planned appointments, shopping, etc. can be done on the weekday without instruction. Based on research, it is also likely that student and staff retention will be increased, and that student and staff morale will be higher.
• Why Mondays?
We chose Monday because there are 14 school days already lost to federal holidays and breaks. This means 3/8 of the year contains four-day weeks on the school calendar. There will be a total of 38, 4 day weeks. Additionally, by shifting breaks and moving to 4 day weeks, we can eliminate almost all 2-day weeks to provide families more supervised support throughout the year.
• Will the hours of in-class instruction change from the previous 5 day instruction?
VCS instructional hours will be nearly identical. While students will be in school approximately 15 fewer days throughout the year, the altered schedule starting one week earlier with no Fall break, and additional 20 minutes to each school day comes out with a very slightly higher amount of yearly instructional time with less interruptions. We have also planned for the first week of school as a non-academic instruction to familiarize the teachers and students with the new schedule.
• What if I need childcare on Mondays?
VCS West and VCS East will contract with an independent company to provide childcare on non-holiday Mondays (Monday Care) such that VCS families could utilize a VCS approved childcare provider for a fee.
• What about VCS free before and after school care?
Similar to this year, VCS would continue the family benefit free of charge from Tuesday through Friday for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. 6th – 8th will be available for a small fee.
• Does a 4 day school week improve grades?
VCS is a high performance charter school (relative to APS and DPS). VCS anticipates maintaining our academic status and believes this new model will positively influence our overall academic performance as proven in other schools adopting the 4 day schedule and our educational program, as measured annually through state testing, will show improvement in growth and achievement.
• Will there be more homework in the 4 day model?
Teachers will be trained in the new model, especially in the areas of lesson efficiency and assignment value. Slightly longer classes will allow for much traditional homework throughout the year to instead be started as classwork, with the intention of lowering the amount of nightly homework for all VCS grade levels.
• How will 4 Day weeks influence learning for students struggling academically, English language learners (ELL) students, and special education students?
Vanguard Classical School does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, need for special education services, or any other grounds prohibited by law. VCS serves students with disabilities and English Learners and provides services to students as required by state and federal law. VSC participates in MTSS, a multi-tiered approach to providing services and interventions to students who struggle with learning at increasing levels of intensity based on progress monitoring and data analysis. In most cases, adapted student requirements can be provided and should not be impacted by the 4 day week.
• How will 4 day weeks impact home health and routine?
Research indicates that students and teachers feel more rested and that sleep patterns are generally improved with the 4-day instructional model. Interestingly, follow-through with home chores and home responsibilities. It was also noted in the research that due to the extra day out of school, the student/parent bond was determined to be stronger.
• What resources and preparation will our schools have to prepare and support students struggling to adjust to the new model?
We will be adding Monday tutoring, as well as additional resources for social work and counseling. Students and families are welcome to reach out to leadership at any time with questions, concerns and input.
• Will there be additional teacher training?
VCS will provide training for teachers before the new schedule is implemented to help them change lesson plans and use the longer school day and fifth day effectively. This may include training in flipped classroom learning, personalized learning, and/or project-based learning. Decisions may occasionally be made on individual class instruction, but in general, there will be little to no change in curriculum.
• What resources does our community have that can support the 4 day schedule?
Established bus routes will remain accessible to students and families. VSC is also considering a parent forum for carpooling, details will come in the beginning of the next school year. Student safety and mental health is essential to VCS and is in close contact with local law enforcement and mental services and is prepared to respond to emergencies.
• Is there a “trial period” or what if this new schedule doesn’t work?
In districts where the switch to 4-day instructional week has already occurred, it is viewed as very difficult to switch back. VSC has the ability to return to a five-day week if the results are not what was intended, however we will maintain the 4 day schedule for the entire 2022/2023 academic year. VCS will reevaluate in November 2022 and share insights.
• Are meal plans still available for 4 day weeks?
Among all four-day districts, in Colorado, 51% of students qualify for free lunch. And for five-day districts, the average was 43%. VCS lunch services support education by providing nutritious quality meals for children. VCS prepares its own healthy food on site, in compliance with the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, and participates in the National School Lunch program. Students who receive free or reduced-price lunch, can or will continue to have access to meals, however, a new form is required each year.
• How are sports schedules affected by the 4 day weeks?
There will be little to no effect on team activity or sporting events. Surprisingly, data reveals that clubs and sports programs appear to have more student interest. VSC hopes to schedule sporting events Tuesday through Friday, but may be subject to change driven by league scheduling.
• Are there any environmental benefits?
With 15 fewer days of driving for teachers, and fewer carpools for families, less utility and water usage. VSC is proud to make a positive environmental impact as well.
• How is the educational ecosystem impacted by the 4 day model?
Research indicates there is no significant difference in educational outcome unless the change is made for a district or school cost cutting initiative resulting in significantly lower hours and pay. At VCS, the 4-day week is not being proposed as a money savings initiative. The VCS budget is not being cut, but in fact increased. Savings of 3% are expected in non-teaching areas such as utilities and janitorial service (4 days/week vs. 5 days week) allowing that money, approximately $500,000 per year, to instead be earmarked for instruction, extra staffing, enhanced curricula, tutoring, etc. Teacher and support staff professional development opportunities will also be increased by approximately 25%. Substitute teacher costs will likely decrease up to 50%.