A school district in Iowa will switch to a four-day school week starting in the 2026–2027 school year. On February 11, the River Valley Community School District board unanimously approved the change. Superintendent Scott Bailey said the idea has been discussed by school leaders for over a year. The concept began when a board member attended a conference in Des Moines and heard positive feedback from other districts about the four-day schedule.
After the idea was presented, the board decided to move forward with the change. Full details, such as the school year calendar and operating hours, are still being finalized. Bailey mentioned that the shift could help attract more students and staff. He also noted that some districts report students enjoy the four-day week because it gives them an extra day for appointments, activities, or personal scheduling.
One of the main factors behind the decision was declining enrollment and the small size of the district. Currently, River Valley has 293 students enrolled. In addition to benefits for students, teachers also appreciate the model because it allows them to focus on professional development or work time on Mondays. However, some challenges are being addressed, such as childcare for younger students and the loss of Monday lunches.
To meet state requirements, school hours will be slightly extended, starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 3:40 p.m. This also provides an extra 25–30 hours over the year to account for snow days or other interruptions. The district has chosen Mondays as the days schools will generally be closed, with some exceptions, avoiding conflicts with Friday evening activities. According to the Iowa Department of Education, 27 Iowa school districts are already operating on a four-day week during the 2025–26 school year.
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