How much time do students spend relaxing after school? Hours, days, even weeks are wasted unwinding and catching up on sleep. But there’s a simple solution to this issue: 12-hour school days.
Imagine this: teachers talking hours on end about a difficult math problem until you are gently lulled to la-la land, dreaming of quadratic equations. Who said you couldn’t multitask in your sleep? More and more students are starting to realize how great these extended school days could be.
Adviti Satish (‘28) said, “Being able to study for 12 hours would be awesome!”
In fact, the awesome benefits. are indisputable. Teachers working long, drawn-out hours with students would absolutely lead to improved grades across all subjects. Students at Crows High, which implemented the 12-hour school day starting in the 2022-23 school year, have seen a humble 738.51 percent increase in overall student grade point average.
Hruthvik Banigandlapati (‘26) supports the shift to a longer school day. He said, “Teachers work really hard. If I had the chance to study with them more, it would really help me.”
Now, with classes extended to 120 minutes, students will have this coveted time to write longer essays, answer more multiple choice questions, and of course, spend longer swimming in the ice cold pool. Students will have two
minutes between classes, which is surely enough time for everyone to meander across the building, and get ready to learn something totally revolutionary.
Of course, one big question arises: when will students find time to study one-on-one with their teachers? Will it be before or
after class? And how will teachers fit these sessions into their schedules? The answer lies in study hall. Teachers will spend their off periods helping students who are confused by graciously giving them more tests, otherwise known as chances for students to demonstrate what they’ve learned.
Naturally, with more time in class, the amount of assignments and tests will increase. When it comes to brainpower, if you don’t use it you’ll lose it — which is why all 12 hours will be filled to the brim with tasks. Agreeing with this sentiment, Assael Fabre (‘26) observed, “Work just gives you a greater sense of knowledge. The tests and assignments help me focus on what’s really important.”
Of course, there’s a downside to all this: stress. But, studies have shown stress is excellent and necessary stimulation for the brain, and so it should be no problem at all. At South, students are the heart of the school. They are valued and cared for and instituting a 12-hour school day is just another of many initiatives to support their growth and well-being.
