An all year-round school, or a “balanced calendar”, is set up to operate on 180-day schedule that includes a shorter summer break and more frequent short breaks throughout the year. After conducting more research about year-round schedules, we believe that Pennridge should adopt this increasingly common method of schooling.

According to Everyday Health, when public schools first became available to students, our society was still heavily dependent on agriculture. Children were needed by their parents to help plant and harvest crops. Now that our society is dependent upon technology, there is no longer a need for child labor during the three months of summer vacation. Most basic balanced calendars operate with a 45-15 ratio, which refers to students staying in school for 45 days and then a 15 days of break. This 15 day breaks would allow students and teachers to have time to take a break and relax. Both teachers and students could return to school well rested and less stressed. Students would come back more motivated to learn. In addition to this, teachers would also have much more time to plan lessons. Teachers in a school with a long summer break have less time to plan for lessons during the busy school year. In addition to this, many parents are unable to take off work for three months to watch their children. According to Wikipedia, ten percent of United State public schools are currently using a year-round calendar, and we should be one of them.

To benefit us, the student body, as well as the staff and teachers, Pennridge should adopt a year-round schedule. Teachers and students could spend their breaks recovering, studying, and preparing. Lastly, parents would face less issues trying to find adequate and age appropriate childcare.