The education landscape is changing, and the debate rages on. Should we continue with traditional schools or switch to a year-round system? There are pros and cons associated with both, but ultimately the decision rests in the hands of parents, teachers, and school boards responsible for educating our children.
Weighing out both sides can help ensure that whatever decision is made will be well-informed and ultimately advantageous for teachers, administrators, and children alike. Here, we will explore the benefits and potential drawbacks of each one of them!
Differences Between Year-Round and Traditional Schools
The first and most obvious difference between year-round and traditional schools is the length of the academic calendar. Year-round schools are typically on an extended schedule — often 9 months — that may include shorter breaks or even intersessions throughout the school year. In contrast, a traditional school has about 180 days with one long summer break.
Another difference between them lies in how students learn. A year-round school usually offers more opportunities for students to engage with their education as it does not have a long summer break which can lead to learning loss. Traditional schools focus more on a rigid schedule where students are required to learn everything within a certain timeframe which can be stressful for some children.
Year-Round Schools
Advantages of Year-Round School
- More Flexible: Year-round schools offer more flexibility in terms of when lessons are given, how long they take, and how much time is spent on each topic. This gives students a more enjoyable learning experience and permits teachers to adjust the curriculum as needed.
- Less Learning Loss: The extended academic calendar gives students more opportunities to review material throughout the year and prevents them from having to relearn topics after the summer break.
- Engaged Students: With an extended school year, there is less time between classes which helps keep students more engaged with their studies since there isn’t time for boredom or distraction to set in.
Disadvantages of Year-Round School
- Increased Costs: Year-round schools often require more staff, additional supplies, and other resources that can drive costs up.
- No Summer Breaks: While this may seem like an advantage in some ways, it also means that students won’t have the opportunity to have summer vacations or take part in any school-sanctioned summer activities such as camps or internships.
- Burnout Potential: With shorter breaks between classes, there is a greater chance for burnout and fatigue for both teachers and students alike, which could lead to decreased productivity overall.
Traditional Schools
Advantages of Traditional School
- Summer Break: Most students look forward to their summer break from school, and traditional schools offer just that. This provides an opportunity for students to rest and relax before starting the following year with fresh minds and renewed motivation.
- Established Routine: Traditional schools have a more rigid schedule which helps children develop better study habits as well as a sense of responsibility when it comes to completing tasks on time.
- Socialization Opportunities: During breaks, kids get the chance to meet other children who are not part of their usual school circle, providing them with valuable socialization experiences that they might not otherwise get in a year-round system.
Disadvantages of Traditional School
- Learning Loss: Since there is one large summer break, students can easily forget the material they learned in the previous year. This means that teachers must spend time at the beginning of the school year reviewing previously covered topics, which can take away valuable teaching time.
- Rigid Scheduling: Traditional schools have a more strict schedule which may not be ideal for all students as some might find it challenging to remain focused during long periods between classes.
- Less Flexibility: A traditional system does not offer much flexibility when it comes to adjusting curriculum or even methods of learning, which may impede student success if certain topics require more attention than others.
Let The Tenney School Help You!
Both year-round schools and traditional schools have the potential to help students excel. Year-round schooling allows students to retain information better, while traditional schooling exposes children to diverse learning experiences. Ultimately, you should choose an approach based on your child’s individual needs and preferences.
At The Tenney School, we offer the Power of One, a custom-made education that provides individualized learning options tailored to your child’s needs and goals. With our hybrid program, there is no need to sacrifice one form of education in favor of another – contact us today! Together we can create a plan that supports your family’s particular educational objectives for the upcoming school year.