Having less stress is an admirable goal; for students this can be made possible in a nine month school year. Within a nine month school year, there is the opportunity for a three month summer break for students to relieve the stresses of the school year.

Keeping the school year at nine months is an efficient way to start relieving unwanted year round stress put on students. With the growing trend of year round schooling in some southern states like Texas, Florida and Kentucky it also comes with a price, from school days spread out further, learning opportunities spread out, to different vacations for other students so students are always on vacation.

“Both schedules have their benefits, but for Minnesota the traditional schedule is the best because in the summer everyone needs to get outside and play,” teacher Naomi Skalbeck said.

Students are given much needed time off of school in the summer to be outdoors and enjoy the warm, nice weather with friends and family when there is a summer break in a nine month school year.

“Having a nine month school system schedule gives the importance for everyone to be outside and get their vitamin D helps people develop a healthier lifestyle,” Skalbeck said.

A healthier lifestyle for students includes not being crammed in a classroom on a nice sunny day, but enjoying it whether it be extra-curriculars, clubs or any activity outdoors.

“Students are able to completely unplug from the stress of school and their upcoming assignments or tests within a nine month school year, with year round they do not have that break,” Skalbeck said.

Tests, exams and quizzes are all examples of stressors faced in school. In a year round school system,  the huge tests would be given every 45 days creating more stress for students versus a nine month school year where tests are at the end of semesters being only twice in a school year therefore putting less stress on students.

“Without summer break students would feel like giving up during the year because there is nothing to motivate them, a summer break is a huge motivator for students to get through the year,” junior Emily McAlister said.

Having school days closer together gives teachers more time to teach, build skill and relationships in the classroom without feeling like school days and breaks are scattered with no time. These skills, teachings and relationships built are necessary keys for success in a classroom for students.

“Students attending nine month schooling are pushed more because students receive three months in the summer off as the huge motivator,” sophomore Haley Mcardle said.

The three months off in the summer not only acts as a motivator to students attending, it is also a key to a student’s success. The nine month school system pushes and motivates students to do well otherwise face unwanted consequences of retaking the course over the summer.

“Having the three months in the summer give students an opportunity to find jobs and live a real life of what it is like after school and I think that is crucial for students,” sophomore Haley Mcardle said.

Being home during the summer gives students the availability to apply, work and know how to maintain a steady job. The opportunity for students to learn skills to prep them for future success are more accessible with no school in the summer to create a conflict with other opportunities students would be taking advantage of.

“Every student learns at a different pace, some take longer than others, and by telling those students they need to learn something in a specific amount of time before their next break is not giving all students a fair opportunity they deserve,” Mcardle said.

Although in a nine month school year some say a learning gap or “summer brain” is found in students where the things learned in the last school year was all forgotten in the summer while not in school, a nine month school year has more success during the nine months attendance.

Keeping a school year only to nine months the amount of stress in students is decreased, more opportunities for students are available, and the importance of summer is exhibited. By passing a law to keep Minnesota school districts to nine months it can keep local schools and students on the right track to success.