A Montana State University faculty member is leading research into the effects of four-day school weeks on children, as more schools in Montana and across the country consider this alternative schedule.
Emily Tomayko, an assistant professor in the College of Education, Health and Human Development’s Department of Food Systems, Nutrition and Kinesiology at MSU, has been studying several aspects of the four-day school week. Her work includes examining adolescent health behaviors, physical education and obesity rates, food security, early elementary achievement, and high school achievement under the four-day model.
“One of the goals of my research is to increase awareness of potential health impacts of this model – for example, changes in health behaviors like sleep and physical activity between school and non-school days, and changes in food access and security – and to identify best practices for supporting child and family wellbeing when using the four-day school schedule,” said Tomayko.
Montana began allowing schools to adopt alternative schedules after a 2005 legislative change shifted attendance requirements from 180 instructional days per year to a minimum of 1,080 hours. By the end of the 2006-2007 school year, ten districts had adopted a four-day week. According to a 2023 report commissioned by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, that number has since grown significantly. As of now, 117 districts with 260 schools in Montana have moved to a four-day schedule. Nationally, over 2,100 schools in 850 districts operate on a similar calendar.
Tomayko noted that most four-day schools are found in rural areas. In Montana during the 2023-2024 academic year, about 85% of districts using this model were classified as rural. However, she pointed out that some larger non-rural districts nationwide have also made the switch. These include Independence School District in Missouri, 27J Schools in Colorado, and Nampa School District in Idaho.
Her published studies address how reduced time at school affects high school achievement and engagement; how it influences exposure to physical education classes and childhood obesity; its impact on adolescent health behaviors and food security; as well as national trends around policy adoption. One study currently under review looks at whether providing meals on non-school weekdays can reduce food insecurity among students in rural areas.
“We hope this information can be used to help make policies and schedules that work for children and their families and communities,” Tomayko said. “We understand the many competing demands around four-day school week decisions, such as budget constraints, staffing challenges, and protecting instructional time and learning quality. We urge that the health and well-being of children and their families be part of these discussions.”
Tomayko recommends that schools considering a shorter week examine possible effects on students’ diet, physical activity levels, sleep patterns, stress levels, risky behavior engagement, childcare needs, as well as their ability to attend appointments or access healthcare services.
She also suggests communities think about available resources when schools are closed during regular weekdays—such as libraries or gymnasiums—and whether organizations offer services or if buildings remain open during off-days.
“A four-day school week brings with it many considerations for communities and families,” Tomayko said. “Our whole goal is to identify best practices around supporting children and their families for those using this four-day school week model.”
Tricia Seifert, dean of MSU’s College of Education, Health and Human Development praised Tomayko’s contributions: “Many factors contribute to a district’s decision to move to a four-day school week,” Seifert said. “Similarly there are many academic health and wellness outcomes that may be affected by that decision. Dr. Tomayko’s research on the constellation of these outcomes is valuable for school leaders and communities as they seek to support the learning and development of their kids.”
