4 Day school Week

[Candy Thurneau]

Hello All,

Our district is exploring the possibility of piloting a 4-day school week for some of our smaller K–12 schools. I am reaching out to learn more about your experiences and the factors you considered during implementation.

If your school or district has adopted a 4-day school week, I would appreciate any insight you are willing to share, including:

• What factors led to the decision to implement a 4-day schedule?
• How has the schedule impacted student attendance, achievement, and staff retention?
• What adjustments were needed for transportation, food service, athletics, or extracurricular activities?
• How did families and community members respond to the change?
• What have been the biggest benefits or successes?
• What challenges or drawbacks have you experienced?
• Is there anything you would do differently if implementing it again?
• How did this affect your classified and certified staff?

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Candy Thurneau

Alaska Gateway School District

PowerSchool ISST/Media Specialist II

907-883-5151 ext. 103

[Teresa Fairbanks]

I am interested in answers to these questions as well!

Thank you!!

Teresa Fairbanks

Principal Secretary / Co - Athletic Director / Registrar

Region V Secretary/Treasurer 

Klawock City School District

School Contact (907) 755-2220, Fax (907) 755 2913

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[Gunderson, Megan]

Valdez City Schools moved to a 4-day school week for 6th-12th grade two years ago, modeled after Cordova but adjusted to fit our own needs along the way. I'm happy to answer those questions from our own lived experiences. Lots of lessons learned along the way, and always continuously improving! 

Teresa and Candy, I'll respond to you directly (unless there is broad interest). I should have some time tonight to spend a little time reflecting.

Megan Gunderson, M.S., M.Ed. Director of Technology and Communication Valdez City Schools 907-834-4716  |  www.valdezcityschools.org mgund...@valdezcityschools.org PO Box 398, 1112 West Klutina Drive  |  Valdez, Alaska

On Tue, May 19, 2026 at 2:03 PM Candy Thurneau <cthu...@agsd.us> wrote:

[Nathan McArthur]

I would be interested LPSD went to 150 student days with a 4 month summer back in 2017. I’d be curious how the 4 day wee would be different/ better

Best,

Nathan McArthur

EdTech/PowerSchool/Homeschool Coordinator

Lake and Peninsula School District

Alaska

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[Andrea Lemons]

DGSD looked into it several years ago and did a lot of studying. Most of the staff was on board but several members of the community were VERY against it. Childcare seemed to be a major issue against it. Our Board didn't pass the motion.

There is great information online and a lot of research has been done. There are pros/cons, like any system. There are many districts in Washington, Idaho and Montana that have been operating on the 4 day schedule for many years. I've talked to both staff and parents who are doing it and all have indicated that they wouldn't want to go back to the traditional week.

Good luck!

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[Janie Jensen]

I would love to hear your responses to these questions as well :) 

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Janie Jensen

[Katie Fry]

Hi Candy, 

I was not a part of the discussion or decisions in Cordova to go to a 4 day school week (it happened before I moved here) but I have really liked it.  As a parent of student athletes and a coach it is a fantastic schedule.  As an employee it doesn't affect my work hours because staff (I think all?) still work 5 days a week.  Fridays are a half day at the elementary school and Flex Friday at the high school.  So kind of a hybrid model? 

Cordova high school goes by seat time hours, not school days while the elementary school goes by days - we still have the same start/end dates and holidays.  We do have students/staff in the HS building on Friday - students can come work one on one with teachers, do homework, group projects, exercise in the gym/weight room, etc.  We still serve breakfast and lunch.  

Students aren't missing instruction time, and they can connect with teachers if they do have questions with homework while traveling. Furthermore, they have time on Fridays when they aren't traveling to get caught up and work with teachers if they need more help.  Sometimes we have just under half our student body traveling at once. So having a flexible Friday has been super beneficial in that regard.  

Katie

Katie Fry

Admin Assistant

Cordova Jr/Sr High School

kf...@cordovasd.org

Phone (907)424-3266

Fax (907)424-5215

On Tue, May 19, 2026 at 2:03 PM Candy Thurneau <cthu...@agsd.us> wrote:

[Candy Thurneau]

Thanks, everyone. I am sharing your responses with our district staff, classified and certified staff. 

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