Read More
School Start & End Times are Shifting
PGCPS is moving to standardized bell times for the 2024-25 school year as part of efforts to improve school bus transportation.
84% of schools have no change or a shift of 15 minutes or less, with no school shifting more than 45 minutes.
How School Bell Times are Impacted
- 22% of schools have no change in bell times
- 62% of schools have a bell time shift of 15 minutes or less
- 8% of schools have a bell time shift of 16 to 30 minutes
- 8% of schools have a bell time shift of 31 to 45 minutes
How are school bell times changing?
To improve transportation efficiency, PGCPS is moving to three standard bell times. This plan will not shift all elementary schools to 7:30 a.m., nor all middle schools/ and Pre-K - 8 academies to 8:30 a.m., nor all high schools to 9:30 a.m.
How will standardizing school start and end times improve bus service?
PGCPS currently has 13 morning school start times and 17 dismissal times. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, new standard bell times will reduce this to three start times and six dismissal times.
Standardizing school bell times helps balance the distribution of trips, resulting in improved transportation efficiency, less students experiencing delays, optimizing utilization of buses and drivers, maximizing time used for picking up students and more. Consistency and standardization across district bell times also makes schedules clearer and easier to understand for families.
How will shifted bell times impact schools?
Most schools have no change or a shift of 15 minutes or less.