YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Administrators at one South Carolina school district are weighing the idea of ditching the traditional school calendar in favor of year-round classes.
School officials in Oconee County told NBC Charlotte the new calendar would mean a shorter, seven-week summer break for students with classes beginning in late July. That's a dramatic shift from the current state law requiring the school year to start on the third Monday in August.
Administrators said they have come up with two calendars that will be presented to the school board in March. One with the traditional school calendar as is, and the second, which would have year-round classes. The board will then review, vote and make a decision.
They say that according to a survey sent out to parents said 55 percent of those polled were in favor of the modified calendar.
Here's how it would look. Instead of starting in August, the first day of school would be in July after a seven-week summer break. Then, schools would have a two-week break after each nine-week grading period.
Some school leaders say the change would be beneficial for students who now study for final exams during their Christmas holiday. That's why three Charlotte-area districts, Fort Mill, Rock Hill and York District 1, want to change the state law by giving each district the power to determine when the school year begins.