Academic Calendar Survey

Thank you to the nearly 3,000 students, parents, and staff members who completed the initial calendar preference survey back in April*.  The data and comments received from that survey window have provided information for designing the proposed calendar options for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 school years. 

A few details as you examine the calendar options:
94% of respondents said they prefer ending first semester prior to winter break.  Both calendar styles meet this goal.
78% of respondents said they prefer to start the school year with a shortened week.  Both styles meet this goal.

57% of respondents prefer ending the school year closer to Memorial Day in May over a later start of the school year in August.
55% of respondents said they prefer more breaks during the school year as opposed to a longer summer break.
33% of the respondents made a return of the February break a higher priority among all scheduled school breaks.

With this background knowledge of preferences from those who participated in the initial survey, two options have been created for your review.  

Option A highlights:
1 week Fall Break
2 week Winter Break
1 week Spring Break
End Before Memorial Day

Option B highlights:
1 week Fall Break
2 week Winter Break
1 week February Break
1 week Spring Break
2 of the 3 school years End Before Memorial Day

As you examine the calendars, please note the color descriptions in the legend.  Yellow is a student school day.  Blue is a Teacher Day (no students).  Orange depicts no school (school break).  Green is listed as make-up days as needed.  ZCS will continue to utilize Edays as a real time make-up opportunity within the guidelines of the Indiana Department of Education.  Green days are depicted for those catastrophic events which may exceed Eday flexibility or compatibility (recall Polar Vortex 2014 when we experienced frozen tundra conditions and pipes burst everywhere!)

Thank you for reviewing and offering your preference. After reviewing the calendars below, please click here to submit your preference for option A or B. 

*A total of 2,824 responses were submitted from April 19, 2024-April 30, 2024.  The respondent population included the following:  ZCS Parents (1701), ZCS Students (604), ZCS Faculty/Staff (448), Future ZCS Parents (31), Community/Business Partners (19), and Other (21).