Success Academy Network to Shorten Its School Day Next Year
Success Academy, the high-achieving charter school network, told employees this week that it would shorten its school day next year, altering a feature that has distinguished the network from New York City’s regular public schools but has also made it hard to retain teachers.
The school day for most students at Success’ elementary schools will go from lasting eight hours 45 minutes to eight hours, with students being dismissed at 3:45 p.m. instead of at 4:30, according to an email from Success’ founder, Eva S. Moskowitz, that was sent to employees on Tuesday.
At Success’ middle schools, the length of the day will go from nine hours 15 minutes to seven and a half hours, with students arriving an hour later, at 9 a.m., and leaving 45 minutes earlier, at 4:30 p.m.
On Wednesdays, Success students have half-days, so that teachers can have professional development.
In the email, Ms. Moskowitz said the change, which was reported by Politico New York on Tuesday, was meant to address the concerns of teachers and families.
“We have found that the length of our current school day is difficult for both scholars and teachers, and it doesn’t leave enough time for clubs, sports programs, and the tutoring and extra support that some scholars need,” Ms. Moskowitz wrote. “It is also challenging for staff to find enough personal time to recharge and be at their professional best.”
“This schedule change will allow for more personal time on workdays,” she Success Academy Network to Shorten Its School Day Next Year - The New York Times:
