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2024-25: School Start Times
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On May 9, 2023, the Anchorage School Board approved changing school start times to be implemented beginning 2024-25 school year (), giving the District and the community additional time to plan for the adjusted start times.
These new school start times align with students’ natural sleep patterns. We believe this alignment will improve their well-being and academic success. Research indicates students will see an increase in alertness, improved cognitive functionality, increased memory retention, improved focus in the classroom, and more. It is anticipated that attendance rates will go up and absences will go down. For our students that drive, it means they will be more rested and more alert traveling to and from our campuses.Charter schools and alternative programs have different start/end times which can be reviewed here.
For the 2024/2025 school year, school start times will look like this:
PLC Monday Schedule
Start Time
Release Time
Elementary School
9:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
High School
9:45 a.m.
3:15 p.m.
Middle School
10:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday Schedule
Start Time
Release Time
Elementary School
8:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
High School
8:45 a.m.
3:15 p.m.
Middle School
9:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
FAQs
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When are we changing school start times?
Beginning in August 2024.
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What are the new school start times beginning Fall 2024?
Starting in August 2024, all grade levels move to the new school start times listed below. The delayed start of the PLC schedule will continue on Mondays. In some cases, preschool, charter and alternative programs may have different schedules and are still in development.
PLC Monday Schedule
Start Time
Release Time
Elementary School
9:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
High School
9:45 a.m.
3:15 p.m.
Middle School
10:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday Schedule
Start Time
Release Time
Elementary School
8:00 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
High School
8:45 a.m.
3:15 p.m.
Middle School
9:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
Please consider that most current 5th grade students (2023-24 school year) will be moving to Middle School as 6th graders next year (2024-25 school year), meaning they will follow the Middle School start/release schedules. For more information, please see: www.asdk12.org/middlemerge
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Why are we changing school start times?
Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê’s mission is to provide all students with an education that optimizes academic achievement and growth. Research that includes the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that appropriate school start times (after 8:30am for middle and high school students and earlier for elementary students) are associated with increased sleep duration, improved physical and mental health, decreased daytime sleepiness, increased attendance and graduation rates, fewer tardiness incidents and increased GPA, and fewer automobile crashes.
The resource section provides links to town halls, presentations, and conversations leading up to the School Board’s decision on May 9, 2023. Additional research resources are available here:
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Will I be able to drop my child off early before school starts?
To support families, there will be some opportunities for early student drop off, similar to what was done at the start of this year on PLC Mondays. Schools that are open for early drop off will have staff on hand to supervise students inside in a warm, safe environment.- Middle - Middle schools will provide morning supervision for students beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday-Friday.
- High - High schools will provide morning supervision for students beginning at 7:45 a.m. Monday-Friday.
- Elementary - Due to the earlier start times for elementary schools next year, it is not anticipated that students will need extra supervision on most mornings. Student drop off typically begins 15 minutes prior to the school day. Elementary schools will continue to provide morning supervision during PLC Mondays which will be 8-9 a.m. next school year.
- Alternative and Charter: Each alternative and charter school has set its own school start times and will determine necessary student support based on their school hours.
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How will school start times affect before and after school programs, sports and extracurricular activities?
The District is determining specific impacts on both district and external community activities and sports, which includes looking at transportation, practice and event scheduling. Schedules will be adjusted to meet the demands of the new start times.
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What after school care options are available for families with elementary students?
The District understands the new start times may change before or after school care needs for families and staff with young children beginning Fall 2024. The District is collaborating with the Alaska Afterschool Network to assist with planning for next school year. This includes programs like Boys & Girls Club, Camp Fire, etc. For a list of programs partnered with Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê for this 2023-24 school year, see /Domain/5173.
Please contact your school’s front office for more information on programs partnered with your school. There are also additional programs around the community. A good resource to find a program is here:
Please consider that most current 5th grade students (2023-24 school year) will be moving to Middle School as 6th graders next year (2024-25 school year), meaning they will follow the Middle School start/release schedules. For more information, please see: www.asdk12.org/middlemerge
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Elementary students walking in early morning darkness?
Alaska has prolonged darkness in the winter, and student safety is a priority. There are existing safety measures in place for school zones, which include flashing lights and reducing driving speeds. Additional safety tips for walking can be found here: /walktoschool
In August 2024, neighborhood elementary school days will begin 1 hour earlier than 2023-24 school year start times. The District will work with the municipality to adjust school zones for the new times.
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What about high school students with after school jobs?
Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê acknowledges the importance of after-school employment to many of our students and families.
Students and families are encouraged to work with their employers to accommodate this new schedule.
Depending on a student’s academic needs, class schedules may have some flexibility to accommodate after-school employment. Students and families should work with their school counselors to develop class schedules that support their academic and employment goals.
Media
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- Lex Yelverton, KTUU "" Published: May 10, 2023
- Morgan Krakow, ADN: "" Published: May 10, 2023
- KTUU "" Published: March 23, 2023
- Morgan Krakow, ADN: "" Published: January 11, 2023
- Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media: "" Published: January 11, 2023
- Lex Yelverton, KTUU "" Published: January 10, 2023
Resources
School Start Meetings
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Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê has reviewed the benefits of changing school start times for our students.
Each Town Hall was telecast live and can be watched on the Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê YouTube channel or below. In addition, each Town Hall has been recorded and posted for public review.
