More Breaks

Why Mistwood Has More Days Off School

At Mistwood, our school calendar is intentionally designed to support the whole child and the whole community. More non-school days are not time away from learning—they are an essential part of how learning happens best. Here’s how this approach supports students, families, and staff:

Home–School Balance

• Additional non-school days give families time to connect and recharge together.

• Students have space to pursue personal interests, rest, and engage in meaningful experiences outside the classroom.

• A balanced calendar supports long-term engagement with learning rather than short bursts of intensity followed by burnout.

Reduced Stress & Student Well-Being

• Inspired in part by the Finnish educational model, Mistwood values balance over pressure.

• Shorter instructional days, ample breaks, and fewer high-stress demands help keep learning joyful and sustainable.

• Reduced homework and built-in downtime allow students to return to school rested, focused, and ready to learn.

Time to Play & Explore

• Increased recess, unstructured play, and curated free time are essential for cognitive, social, and emotional development.

• Play supports creativity, problem-solving, resilience, physical health, and relationship-building.

• Unstructured time fosters independence and self-discovery, allowing children to explore who they are and what they love.

Staff In-Service for Reflection & Growth

• Once a month, Mistwood holds a staff in-service day dedicated to planning, collaboration, and reflection.

• Teachers use this time to review student progress, refine curriculum, and coordinate across age groups and subjects.

• These days ensure that learning remains thoughtful, responsive, and aligned with student needs.

Care for Our Learning Environment

• Because Mistwood does not employ janitorial or maintenance staff, in-service days also allow teachers to care for classrooms and shared spaces.

• This keeps our campus clean, safe, and well-organized while helping maintain affordable tuition.

Continuous Improvement & Accreditation

• This year, a few additional in-service days support our WASC self-study—an important accreditation process that helps Mistwood reflect, improve, and plan for the future.

• This work ensures long-term stability, accountability, and growth for our school community.

At Mistwood, fewer traditional school days do not mean less learning. They mean better balance, reduced stress, deeper reflection, and more meaningful learning—for students, families, and staff alike.