Three Edmonton Catholic schools began the school year Tuesday.
St. Alphonsus, St. Catherine and Mother Teresa are part of the year-round program that Edmonton Catholic Schools began seven years ago.
The year-round program is intended to give parents more options and reduce the concern of learning loss over a longer summer break.
“We find that it works really really great,” Courtney Naccarato, Edmonton Catholic Schools, said.
“The kids really love this program. They’re so excited to come back to school, they love to see their teachers, they’re friends, and they really can’t wait to go back to class.”
READ MORE: Year-round school can help parents with summertime costs for kids
The students attend just as many instructional days as those on traditional schedules by having longer breaks during the course of the year, including a two week break in October.
“That beginning of September to Christmas time is a four month stretch where there’s only two holidays, two long weekends in there, and that’s a long stretch,” John Groten, St. Alphonsus principle, said.
“I’ve worked in the regular program and in this one, and that fall break is a really important piece of this year-round calendar.”
READ MORE: Breaking down the numbers: Can parents afford summertime care costs?
The year-round program provides a five week summer holiday rather than the two months the traditional schedule provides.
Edmonton Catholic Schools is looking to expand the program at other schools, although there are no plans to do so.
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