Four-day week approved by Carlton School Board

Students in the Carlton School District could be moving to a four-day school week as soon as next year, after the Carlton School Board voted in favor of the shift.

School will be in session four days a week, each day will be 25 minutes longer. The district says Wednesdays become regular hours and no early tryouts.

In the plan’s draft posted online, 5th day options include KidsCare for kindergarten through 5th graders, and exploratory options for the older kids. Those options include community involvement, work experience and career planning, standardized testing, academic help, etc. Carlton Schools also say they will still provide breakfast and lunch on that 5th day.

The district has goals associated with this plan, saying attendance and achievement will increase by 2% each year by the spring of 2028. K-12 students will also have experienced at least eight exploratory options with a community-based focus and real-world experience, according to the draft plan.

The difference in time shakes out to about three school days. The district hopes to gain that back by all the other things that happen during the school day, that they say takes time away from students. This includes standardized testing, meetings, and field trips. Activities would go on as usual, and transportation will be provided for those who needed it, as it is now.

Schools will now send an application to the Minnesota Department of Education. If approved, the shortened school week could begin as soon as next year.