CASPER, Wyo. — Midwest School serves students from preschool through 12th grade and operates on a four-day school week schedule.
“Midwest School has been operating an approved alternative program for four years,” says the Natrona County School District. “Every two years a school must apply to the Wyoming Department of Education with approval from the State Board of Education to operate an alternative program of fewer than 175 school days and/or fewer than 185 teacher contract days in a school year.”
For the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years, Midwest students will be required to attend 147 school days on the regular Monday-Thursday schedule.
During the current school year, Midwest offers one “Focus Friday” each month to provide students with enrichment and restorative opportunities.
“We changed the Focus Friday opportunities to once a month for the 2019/20 school year because we saw a decline in Focus Fridays participation by those students who needed it most.” Principal Chris Tobin says in a letter explaining Midwest's proposed program. “We took advantage of these Fridays to offer credit recovery for students who had failed a course in high school.”
“Staff have since identified a need to increase the Focus Friday opportunities to 2 Fridays per month for the 2020/21 school year, while maintaining credit recovery options.”
Tobin says the goals of the alternative program for the Midwest are:
– Create a balance that allows Midwest School to maximize academic time while allowing
sports, activities and family endeavors.
– Meet government standards and accountability requirements.
– Expand opportunities for students to participate in challenging, enriching academic opportunities.
– Meet the needs of students who need or want focused, small group support from teachersMidwest Director Chris Tobin
37 respondents to a 2019/2020 Midwest Alternative Curriculum Survey unanimously said they support the four-day school week. Respondents included parents, students, community members and school staff.
The survey also asked respondents to list any concerns they have about the four-week program. Responses included:
- “None at this time, my student is doing very well with the 4 day school week.”
- “No worries. I no longer have to fight with my children to go to school with the 4-day week.”
- “None. This is a great thing for Midwest students.”
- “I have no concerns, I fully support. I have seen my student blossom in an unexpected way while attending this school. The atmosphere has taken him from being a disengaged student to making the honor roll every semester since he started.”
- “I feel like every Friday is too much for Focus Friday. Anything else would be better.”
- “I would be disappointed to see it go.”
- “None, I think it works great for students.”
- “I have none, my child thrived under the 4 day school week.”
At least 78% of respondents said the following benefits were possible thanks to the four-day school week.
The survey as well as Midwest's complete proposed program are available online. The Wyoming Department of Education must approve the school's proposal in order for Midwest to follow the plan for the next two school years.
