Principal Elaine Christian believes the new calendar has a lot to do with the change. Yet for all its advantages, year-round education has its critics. For one thing, long summer vacations are a cherished cultural institution for some families. When the new calendar was approved, several families left the school. It's hard to zig when everyone else is zagging, and a whole array of activities for kids are organized around the traditional summer break.
Economic interests are at stake, too.
Summer camps and amusement parks have often fiercely opposed year-round schooling, which could not only cut into their customer base but also reduce the supply of teenage workers. And when a district has some schools on traditional calendars and others running year-round, some parents can't bear the juggling. Nancy Richieri pulled her three daughters out of Jerabek when the oldest was approaching middle school and would soon be on a traditional calendar. A matter of space. In the so-called multitrack system, the capacity of school buildings can be stretched by having one group of students on vacation while others are starting school.