Why Do American Schools Have Such Long Hours?

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Published 2017-12-13

The structure of America’s school calendar may seem counterintuitive—and in many ways, it is. In this episode of School Myths by The Atlantic, we investigate some pressing questions, such as why American students have long summer breaks between school years and yet such short gaps between each class.

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All Comments (21)

@TheAtlantic 4 years ago

Next watch our video on how crazed parents scammed their kids Into college: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBIecTVibhM&feature=youtu.be
@bowmaster8848 5 years ago

Yes 7 hours of school, Then another 5 hours of homework That’s the problem.
@jxsnn9320 5 years ago

Chinese schools: laughs in absurdly long hours
@julial6789 5 years ago

School is created to teach us students how to be employees with a 9-5 job
@gabedarrett1301 4 years ago

Scientists: students need 8-10 hours of sleep every night School: Five. Take it or leave it
@lydiam4213 5 years ago

"keeps students fresh " what are we? fruit?
@star.glazed 5 years ago

a 15 min break for every 45 mins!? WTF WE DONT EVEN HAVE A 5 MIN BREAK 😳🙄
@denisse4654 4 years ago

Schools: students need more rest for class time! Also schools: class starts at 7:30AM
@minty_berry4656 4 years ago

Fun fact : The OG school system was meant for factory workers That hasn’t changed over the last 150 years And there telling us where preparing you for the future Or are you really just preparing us for the past
@SA-xt1gd 5 years ago

To be honest I strongly believe schooling 5 days a week is very exhausting. It should be 4 day school with 3 day weekend. Humans need to rest you know..
@retromonkey2308 4 years ago

“In Japan and South Korea, they have higher test scores than the US." yes, but Japan and south Korean schools are very difficult, also their suicide rates are some of the highest in the world. 💀📈📊
@TheBrian900 6 years ago

The American school system is horrible
@CelticKitty 4 years ago

“With hot lunch served every day” laughs in cold american lunch
@powerplayer75 6 years ago

Japan and South Korea do well academically but have you seen their student suicide rate?
@aoiujdsfasfjioasfo 5 years ago

“In Japan and South Korea they have higher test scores than the US, why?” Because no one in my classes ever pay attention
@gavin7152 5 years ago

but it doesn't even stop there folks, yes basically homework is just school but your at your house.
@SirKemzyGodle 3 years ago

*Graduates* “Hmm, I wonder if that place down the street will hire me if I tell them about all the battles that happened during WWII.”
@HG-lf3ek 5 years ago

American schools: 7 hours of school Filipino schools: hold my compulsory subjects- Laughs in ten hours and nine months
@emorgan0085 5 years ago

2:29 LMAO if you think school lunch looks even remotely like that, then you have never been to an American school... our lunch is practically just a small pile of colorless sludge
@CanWeGetToSubcribersWithNoVide 6 years ago

I hate the American school system so damn much. Also how do you get 15 minute breaks for every 45 minutes? The only break we get is lunch, which is a short 20 minutes.