DES MOINES, Iowa — The Saydel Community School District is thriving after switching to a four-day school week last year.

After two and a half years of consideration, Saydel transitioned to a four-day school week at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Todd Martin, Superintendent of the Saydel School District, said the main reasons for the switch was for wellness of staff and students, as well as recruitment and retention of teachers. Since the change, Saydel has received quadruple the amount of teacher applications.

“We would see an average of about …16 applicants per roll,” Martin said. “So, if I had an elementary position, I might get 16 applicants. When we started the four-day week in 24-25, we began to see numbers like 70 applicants.”

With the large amounts of applicants, Martin said the school district can be more selective in hiring the best fit for their district.

“The reality is, is that when you have a pool that large. You and I both know that you have a better selection than what you can choose for your district and your kids.”

Not only has the district been receiving an increased number in teacher applications, but academics have been thriving as well. In last year’s Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student progress, Saydel improved in 18 of 21 areas that were assessed.

The district had all of its classroom teacher positions filled for this year going into the summer, something that few Iowa school districts can claim.

Martin said that the district has surveyed the response of the parents, students and teachers regarding the four-day school week. In a survey asking about the “overall support” of the shortened week, 82% of parents supported it, 95% of students, and 91% of teachers.