2024-25 School Start Time Project

Some of the research we reviewed to support our process includes studies and data from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the CDC, the National Library on Medicine and various universities and state organizations.  

Each of these sources provide evidence to support school districts placing a focus on moving the school start times of our adolescents back so they can get the sleep necessary for their brains and bodies to be in an optimal state for learning. There is positive data for high schools with start times closer to 8:30 that includes improved academic performance, decreased depression and suicidal ideation, a decrease in car accidents, and lower chances of obesity and risky behavior.  

Additionally, the sleep recommendations for children suggests:

• Students ages 6-12 should receive 9-12 hours of sleep; and

• Students ages 13-18 should receive 8-10 hours of sleep.

Access our Research Findings to learn more about the information we reviewed.

The school start time changes will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. We are intentionally sharing the school start time changes in December 2023 to provide seven full months for our school community to make any necessary adjustments.

The school start time changes we are implementing can be seen in the chart below. 

These updates increase the elementary school day by 15 minutes and decrease the high school day by 30 minutes (no change to PK or MS). Both length of day changes align with other Central Ohio school districts and fall within the required hours from the State of Ohio.

In addition to the brain research we reviewed, a big component of our school start time process involved looking critically at our District’s ability to transport students to and from school each day. The options that were developed for consideration were done so by routing our buses in a more efficient manner and to reduce our need for shuttle buses throughout the District. 

With the 2024-25 school start time changes, we will also be updating bus stops and routes for a majority of our students. Our current routes sometimes include picking students up at the end of their driveway as opposed to a more centrally located bus stop location near their home. Specific information related to how individual students will be impacted will be shared in the summer.

The District is working collaboratively with athletic directors, administrators and coaches/advisors to analyze where shifts may need to take place and to update schedules as necessary for our athletic teams and clubs. We are able to learn from other school districts within the Central Ohio area with similar start/end times and will continue to offer all extracurricular activities currently in place for our students.

Chinese enrichment classes will continue to be offered with the new school start times. The details of programming and class times will be determined closer to next year and will be communicated accordingly with families of students wishing to participate.

Middle school students will still be able to take high school classes with the new school start times. The details of programming, class times and locations will be determined during the second semester and will be communicated accordingly with families at that time.

According to the Executive Director of Start School Later, “Moving school start times is no guarantee that most teenagers will get the sleep they need. But not moving school start times is a guarantee that most won’t.” We believe it is important to implement a time structure that increases the chances students will get the sleep needed for learning.

Child care considerations were a common piece of feedback we received throughout the process and as a result, we selected a model that does not significantly change the school start and end times of our youngest learners. This selection was an attempt to ensure current family child care needs can be maintained as closely as possible. We will continue to offer after school care programs at all elementary schools in the district.

Any student who is eligible for transportation to an out-of-district learning site including career & technical schools and private schools will continue to be transported and will have pick up times that ensure they arrive at their school on time.

Our breakfast and lunch programs will remain in place in all schools as they are currently served. Where necessary, times will be adjusted to align with the new school hours and those details will be communicated at the beginning of next school year. 

Staff work hours and planning time will be determined in the coming months and will align to the contractual agreement. Building leaders will communicate new hours for staff before the end of the school year.