Washington Writers' Academy is part of the Kalamazoo Public Schools' Balanced Calendar Pilot, which provides a year-round school experience. Research shows that lengthy summer breaks have an adverse impact on reading levels, especially for those students who lack access to libraries and summer enrichment experiences. With shorter summer breaks, student reading and other achievement should increase.
Under the pilot, the annual number of days and hours will remain the same as in the district's other elementary schools, but the days will be configured differently, with a shorter summer break and somewhat longer breaks connected to the district's current breaks.
Balanced Calendar Schedule
In session: July 22-Aug. 25, 2019
Not in session: Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2019
In session: Sept. 3- Oct. 13, 2019
Not in session: Oct. 14-25, 2019
In session: Oct. 26-Nov. 24, 2019
Not in session: Nov. 25-29, 2019
In session: Dec. 2-22, 2019
Not in session: Dec. 23, 2019-Jan. 3, 2020
In session: Jan: 4-Feb. 12, 2020
Not in session: Feb. 13-21, 2020
In session: Feb. 22-March 29, 2020
Not in session: March 30-April 10, 2020
In session: April 11-May 19, 2020
Not in session: May 20-25, 2020
In session: May 26-June 11, 2020 (end of school year)