Broward County Public Schools is considering implementing a “4+1” day week for high schoolers, in which students would attend school for four days a week from Monday to Thursday. Friday would be optional for “extended learning opportunities” and extracurriculars, if a student did choose to come into school.

In order to gauge opinions on the switch to a “4+1” schedule, BCPS has sent out surveys to parents, community members, students and teachers about their feelings on the matter via emails, school websites and Canvas announcements. The surveys are due on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

However, as they are exploring it, there are little details yet about what the 4+1 schedule might include. For example, students and teachers do not know how long class periods will be and if Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which currently uses an A/B Block, will be able to stay on a four-classes-a-day schedule.

While many enjoy the idea of a three-day weekend, many are concerned because school days would be much longer: eight and a half hours. MSD currently runs from 7:40 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., making for a seven hour day for students. The school day for students would thus increase by an extra 90 minutes.

One of the reasons BCPS is considering a 4+1 schedule is because it has been incredibly effective for Pompano Beach High School, a BCPS magnet school, that has had a four-day week since 1997. PBHS is consistently an A-rated school and ranks in the top 25 in the state of Florida.

One caveat to this possible switch is the new law, House Bill 733, that by 2026, all high schools in Florida can start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. PBHS, in order to accommodate a four-day week, runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.