The UPoR has a lengthy article on year-around schools, including the possibility of CMS using that model at certain west Charlotte schools next year. In general, offering varying educational approaches is a good thing if parents opt in. The problem with alternative calenders comes when they are not voluntary, especially if different calenders apply to different kids in a particular family. There’s no quicker way to build resentment than to give parents almost no choice as to when to go to visit the grandparents or go to the beach.