Spoiler: They don’t.
Since our founding in 2008, Meridian Learning has challenged the idea that more time in school automatically leads to better outcomes. We’ve developed and refined a four-day school week—with an optional, thoughtfully designed Friday—for nearly two decades, and along the way we’ve learned something important: kids don’t need to spend long hours at school to learn deeply. In high-performing countries like Finland, classroom days are often only around five hours, and students thrive—not because they sit longer, but because their learning is designed to support how children develop best. Through our three living lab schools, we’ve designed regular school days around three to five focused hours of learning, with preschoolers moving freely between indoor and outdoor environments and at least an hour outdoors every day in our elementary program. In our adolescent program, students spend two full days each week learning outdoors, deepening their connection to nature and engaging in real-world, project-based work.
We also understand that school serves as childcare for many families, which is why our optional Friday isn’t just a drop-off day—it’s a meaningful Friday option for families that’s developmentally appropriate, offering enrichment, small-group learning, outdoor exploration, and creative experiences that truly support growth and well-being.
We didn’t just follow the four-day school trend—we pioneered it, and we’ve spent nearly two decades mastering a schedule that balances quality learning with time for rest, play, and family life. Meridian’s shorter, smarter week supports learning without burnout, invites joy into the school day, and honors the natural rhythms of childhood.
Curious about what makes a microschool truly different? At Meridian Learning, our three lab schools have helped us redefine what small, intentional learning environments can be. Read our full post on what makes a microschool.