Hot Springs School District aims for improved learning with non-traditional school calendar

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Many parents and students around the state are gearing up for the new school year, but about a dozen districts are trying out a new non-traditional calendar.

The Hot Springs School District is starting a non-traditional schedule, effectively going year-round.

There were some mixed emotions about going back to school earlier, but students like Abigail Hedrick and Renee Nduku said they were not too upset about it.

“I didn't have a huge summer because I was working a lot, but I'm excited to be back,” Hedrick said. 

“It was kind of difficult because some of my friends that go to other schools, they're still in their summer, but I just have to look at the future because we get our first break in September and I am super excited,” Nduku said. 

The district still has 178 school days, just like schools on the traditional calendar. They started July 29 and will finish June 6, with a seven-week summer and periodic breaks throughout the year.