Cobb County Schools Calendar (Atlanta: school districts, pros and cons, moving to)

[Soccernerd]

My family and I are moving to Atlanta and we've narrowed it down to Cobb County based on our commuting needs and our desire for great schools. I noticed that the schools have an atypical calendar. They have a shorter summer but several week long breaks throughout the year. We're from St. Louis and a nearby school district (that was above average in quality) used this system known as a "cycle break". We didn't have any personal experience, but classes during July and August were infamous as being somewhat of a joke in the area. How does Cobb County Schools handle it? Is it a good/bad thing? What are some advatanges/disadvantages?

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Soccernerd

My family and I are moving to Atlanta and we've narrowed it down to Cobb County based on our commuting needs and our desire for great schools. I noticed that the schools have an atypical calendar. They have a shorter summer but several week long breaks throughout the year. We're from St. Louis and a nearby school district (that was above average in quality) used this system known as a "cycle break". We didn't have any personal experience, but classes during July and August were infamous as being somewhat of a joke in the area. How does Cobb County Schools handle it? Is it a good/bad thing? What are some advatanges/disadvantages?

Classes in August is the norm for everyone in Metro Atlanta. For a long while now. Schools in Metro Atlanta finish in May--all by Memorial Day at the latest.


Here, they call it a "balanced calendar."


The July element is new though. I'll let others chime in on the pros and cons.

[Soccernerd]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Classes in August is the norm for everyone in Metro Atlanta. For a long while now. Schools in Metro Atlanta finish in May--all by Memorial Day at the latest.


Here, they call it a "balanced calendar."


The July element is new though. I'll let others chime in on the pros and cons.

It looks like school lets out in May. But the first day for the 2017-2018 school year is July 31st. I suppose it starts only 2 or 3 weeks sooner than in St. Louis but it just seems so soon.


It would be nice scheduling vacations or visiting families during some of the breaks when the majority of school districts will be in class.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Soccernerd

It looks like school lets out in May. But the first day for the 2017-2018 school year is July 31st. I suppose it starts only 2 or 3 weeks sooner than in St. Louis but it just seems so soon.


It would be nice scheduling vacations or visiting families during some of the breaks when the majority of school districts will be in class.

Yes, as I mentioned above, school in Metro Atlanta lets out in May.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Classes in August is the norm for everyone in Metro Atlanta. For a long while now. Schools in Metro Atlanta finish in May--all by Memorial Day at the latest.


Here, they call it a "balanced calendar."


The July element is new though. I'll let others chime in on the pros and cons.

It's still technically the first week of August. What's the difference between starting on July 31st and starting on August 1st? I just think people are overreacting.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by demonta4

It's still technically the first week of August. What's the difference between starting on July 31st and starting on August 1st? I just think people are overreacting.

I agree.

[whodean]

Wish the whole calendar was moved back 2 weeks

[waronxmas]

I really don't understand why there is still Summer break. Unless you as a parent does their due diligence to keep your child's brain working throughout the Summer, there is too much loss of cognitive ability. This antiquated system adds a good 2 years to the length pre-secondary education.

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

I really don't understand why there is still Summer break. Unless you as a parent does their due diligence to keep your child's brain working throughout the Summer, there is too much loss of cognitive ability. This antiquated system adds a good 2 years to the length pre-secondary education.

I didn't know it was a race. You really cannot speed up a child's cognitive development--skipping summer and cramming information into children's brains without a break won't make a 14 year old a 16 year old. Or a 16 year old an 18 year old.

A lot of learning and maturation and adventure take place in the summer and I wouldn't want my children to miss any of that. I'm fine if some schools wants to experiment with year round schooling, as long as there is choice.

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by Soccernerd

It looks like school lets out in May. But the first day for the 2017-2018 school year is July 31st. I suppose it starts only 2 or 3 weeks sooner than in St. Louis but it just seems so soon.


It would be nice scheduling vacations or visiting families during some of the breaks when the majority of school districts will be in class.

It does seem early to go back to school, but Cobb is not out of step with the rest of metro Atlanta. Atlanta Public Schools begin August 1st. Both Dekalb and Fulton County Public Schools start August 7th. Most of the intown private schools begin ~ August 14th. Most schools, public and private, seem to have gotten out for summer on the Friday before Memorial Day.