Madison schools to keep same schedule

Madison County Schools will not be utilizing a modified schedule for the 2023-2024 calendar year, school officials announced this week. 

In March, the district surveyed parents about the possibility of moving towards a modified schedule, which would shift a few weeks of summer vacation to provide for more breaks throughout the school year. 

“We have done extensive due diligence to investigate the most effective calendar for our district,” Superintendent Charlotte Seals said. “Surveys revealed that few families were interested in participating in intercession weeks. Focusing our resources on targeted tutoring and academic support during school days has shown academic progress for students. 

“Ten days of half-day remediation during intercession can’t achieve the results of a full school year of targeted academic interventions in the school building,” she continued. “The week off for fall break was well received by faculty and families in reducing burnout. Based on survey feedback and data, the research supports that the current calendar model implemented for the 2023-24 school year effectively addresses the needs and concerns of our district.”

The 2024-2025 school year will begin on Aug. 1, 2024, with a full week off for Fall Break Oct.7-14. The end of the first semester will be Dec. 20. Classes will resume on Jan. 6, 2025, and Spring Break is scheduled for March 10-17. The term will end on May 23. 

The calendar includes the required 180 days in school. 

There are approximately 30 school districts throughout the state that have adopted a modified calendar and these decisions are made at the local level with no mandate from the state. 

Some of the districts throughout the state that have switched include Lamar County, Petal, Gulfport, Biloxi, Clinton and Jackson County.