When Huntsville School District moved to a 4-day school week, the goal wasn’t just to shorten the calendar—it was to create a schedule that better serves students, teachers, and families. Now, with more than a year of experience and feedback, it’s clear: the 4-day week is helping HSD thrive.
In recent surveys, over 85% of staff, nearly 72% of parents, and more than 84% of students said they support continuing the schedule. The most common reasons? Better work-life balance, stronger family time, and more focused learning.
Parents shared that the extra day off has made it easier to schedule appointments, helped their children feel less overwhelmed, and even improved their family’s quality time. One parent explained, “My daughter wouldn’t have been able to handle three college courses on top of high school sports without the breathing room that Mondays give her.”
Teachers also emphasized how valuable Mondays have become. They use the time to plan, collaborate, grade, and recharge—without losing instructional time. One staff member said, “I haven’t felt this refreshed or balanced in years. It’s made me a better teacher, and a better parent.”
Many staff say the 4-day week has become a top reason they want to continue working at HSD—giving the district a real advantage in recruiting and retaining great educators, even when salaries can’t always compete with neighboring districts.
And our students? They’re using Mondays to rest, catch up on schoolwork, and prepare for the week ahead. As one student put it, “I’m less stressed. I have time to reset, and it makes the school week smoother.”
Of course, we know this schedule isn’t perfect for everyone. Some families have expressed concern about longer days or arranging childcare on Mondays. Others have pointed out that younger students may tire more easily in the afternoons. We hear that feedback—and we’re committed to continuing to refine and support the model in ways that work for all ages and needs.
The 4-day school week isn’t a shortcut—it’s a shift in how we think about time, balance, and learning. It reflects the values we hold as a district: to put students first, to value our staff, and to build a school system that reflects the realities of our families and rural community.
We’re proud of the progress we’ve made—and we’ll continue to listen and adapt, together.