The first day of school used to be an exciting time, but now it is pushed earlier and earlier into August each year as summer vacation time shrinks. Are schools really starting earlier, or do we just dread the first day back more and more each year? It's not a trick - the first day following Labor Day is now a thing of the past as schools have been moving their start dates earlier for a variety of reasons.

Since the early 1900s, schools across the country have been aligned in their scheduling to give students and teachers a break from June to September. But that three-month long summer vacation is no more. Here's why.

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The Benefits

Although many students might feel otherwise, this trend of an early first day back is not new. Ten years ago, in 2015, 76 out of 80 school districts in Los Angeles County started school in August, according to an article from KQED. The article notes the semester schedule as a primary reason for the earlier start.

Starting earlier means schools can fully complete the fall semester before winter break, as opposed to taking final exams after returning from the vacation. Further, by starting before Labor Day, students can have more time to study and learn before standardized and AP exams.

Because of the earlier start, some schools have been able to extend their winter breaks. Extending the length of the fall semester also means that schools can add a midterm break in the fall or give students a full week off for Thanksgiving. When students have more breaks mixed into the school year, they are generally better behaved in the classroom. Teachers also benefit from the increased vacations.

Some schools that adopted the early start are able to end their year earlier as well, right around Memorial Day. School administration officials reported that many students did not seem to take school seriously following Memorial Day anyway, so the earlier end cuts off the year before students stop caring.

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The Downsides

One main critique of the early-start system is that schools have to spend more on air conditioning because they must accommodate for students and teachers during hotter temperatures. However, many schools are often in use during the hottest months anyway because of summer camps or programs run on campus.

Some schools also determined that the impact on their budget by opening school sooner would not be substantial. Besides, a later start to the year might push the end time of school into hotter months.

While students, teachers, and families alike are unhappy about the first day of school being pushed into August, the earlier start time is balanced out by increased breaks throughout the year and possibly an earlier end date.

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Conclusion

Starting school in August might take some getting used to, but the benefits seem to outweigh the downsides. When students have small breaks sprinkled in throughout the school year, they behave better and their minds stay more active, as opposed to one long break that allows kids to fall into a learning slump.