When students returned to Ermel Elementary School this school year, the calendar looked a lot different.
The high-poverty Houston school added 30 school days, creating a 210-day school year that began in July and ends in June. Students now have longer recess and teachers have more planning time. Every Wednesday, students have blocks of extra math and reading instruction, plus time to work on longer projects.
“It’s gone great,” said Principal Erik Torres, who says students have progressed faster academically and been more engaged in class as a result. “We’re going to see tremendous growth compared to last year.”
