Balanced Calendar Sample Schedules
A balanced calendar is an alternative way of structuring a school calendar, where shorter instructional
breaks are scheduled more frequently throughout the year rather than concentrating the time off into a
long summer break. The following plans are examples of balanced calendars.
A district may choose one of the examples below or modify one to create a unique plan.
The year is divided into four nine-week sessions (45 days), separated by four two-week
vacations (10 days). This sequence provides the usual 180 days of instruction. Additional
time is allocated each year to accommodate winter holidays, spring vacation, and national,
state, or local holidays.
45-10 Plan
The year is divided into six six-week sessions, separated by six one-week vacations. This
sequence repeats six times each year, thus providing 180 days of instruction. Additional
time is allocated each year to accommodate winter holidays, spring vacation, and national,
state, or local holidays.
30-5 Plan
The year is divided into four nine-week sessions, separated by four three-week
vacations. School is in session for nine weeks (45 days) followed by a three-week
vacation (15 days). This sequence of sessions and vacations repeats four times each
year, thus providing the usual 36 weeks or 180 days of school. Four additional weeks
each year are allocated to winter holidays, spring vacation, and national, state, or
local holidays.
45-15 Single-Track Plan
Under this type of calendar, students are divided into four groups. While groups A, B,
C, are in school, D is on vacation. When D returns, A goes on vacation. The rotation
continues every three weeks, thus providing for 33 percent additional space in the
school. Each track has its own 45-15 schedule of nine weeks in school and three
weeks on vacation.
45-15 Multi-Track Plan
Students attend school for 60 days (12 weeks) and vacation for 20 days (four
weeks). Students rotate through the year until they have had three 60-day terms
and three 20-day vacations. The 60-20 Plan can be varied to consider winter
holidays, spring vacation, and national, state, or local holidays. It can be conducted
in either a single-track or multiple-track format.
60-20 Plan
This plan borrows from both the 45-15 and 60-20 formats in that the instructional
period is 60 days and the vacation period is 15 days. By rearranging the instructional
days, a common summer vacation of three to four weeks can be given to all students
and faculty. It is usually implemented with five tracks available to students. Teachers
keep their own classrooms and teach a 225-day contract. One-fifth of the students are
always on vacation.
60-15 Plan
The two 90-day semesters are separated by a 30-day vacation period twice a year,
schools are closed during the traditional winter holiday period and spring vacation.
This calendar can be conducted as either a single-track or a multi-track plan.
90-30 Plan
