ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – There might be a collective groan from some Alachua County elementary students when they learn their school is becoming a year-round school.
Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) announced on Thursday that it is one of three Florida school districts selected for the state’s Year-Round School Pilot Program.
ACPS says a year-round school year calendar will be put in place at both Metcalfe and Rawlings Elementary Schools beginning this July and running through the 2028-29 school year.
The program was established during the 2023 legislative session. ACPS says districts had to apply to participate and will be required to provide data about the results of year-round schooling to the Florida Department of Education, which will then make recommendations to the governor and the Florida Legislature about possible expansion.
In addition to Alachua County, Marion County, Brevard County and the PK Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville will also be participating.
ACPS says it hopes year-round school will improve student academic performance, behavior and attendance.
“As a former teacher and principal, I saw so many students who lost a lot of ground academically over the summer,” said Superintendent Shane Andrew. “I’m excited about the great potential this program has to provide the students at Metcalfe and Rawlings with the consistent support they need to keep learning throughout the year.”
The district says students will still attend school for 180 days, but the school year will begin in July and the summer break will be much shorter.
“Every effort will be made to align the new calendars with existing breaks, such as Thanksgiving,” said the district in a news release.
The district says it’s working on adjusting transportation, school meals, after-school programs and other schedules.
Rawlings Elementary principal Dr. Stella Arduser says she recognizes that a change to the school-year calendar will require adjustments, but that it could be a game-changer for the students.
“This is a possibility that hasn’t been tapped into, and maybe this is what we’ve needed all along,” she said. “Some of our students already come to summer school, so why not make year-round instruction part of the educational experience and fabric here at Rawlings Elementary School?”
Metcalfe Elementary principal Christiana Robbins has discussed the program with her staff and some of her parents.
“They’re definitely open to the potential benefits, but of course they’re also interested in hearing the details,” she said. “We want to make a long-lasting impact on our students’ achievement, and this could be the answer that everyone is looking for.”