Ponder ISD is making a significant change to its academic calendar, officially transitioning to a four-day instructional week beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. This decision follows extensive research, discussions, and input from stakeholders, with the goal of enhancing student learning, improving teacher retention, and supporting overall school satisfaction.
The new calendar, approved by the district, meets Texas' requirement of 75,600 instructional minutes per year by adjusting the school schedule. The academic year will begin on August 6, 2025, with a traditional five-day school week for the first nine weeks. Starting in October, classes will shift to a four-day week, with Fridays designated as non-instructional days. To ensure students receive the required instructional time, the school day will be extended by 30 minutes.
To support families during this transition, Ponder ISD will offer Friday childcare options for Pre-K through 5th grade students. More details on this program, along with finalized start and end times, will be announced in the coming months.
The district anticipates several benefits from the new schedule, including improved teacher recruitment and retention, increased student engagement, and enhanced work-life balance for both staff and students. Additionally, studies on four-day school weeks suggest potential advantages in attendance, discipline, and overall school satisfaction.
As the district moves forward with implementation, Ponder ISD remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition for students, staff, and families. Community feedback will continue to be a vital part of the process, and additional updates will be shared as the 2025-2026 school year approaches.
For more details, the 2025-2026 PISD Calendar is now available for review.