Early release allows for staff professional collaboration time on Mondays. This aligns with MMSD's commitment to excellence by ensuring all student have the best educational experience. This time offers staff an opportunity to engage in professional learning, collaborate with other teachers and building staff, and supports new learning as it relates to shifts in best practices and district priorities. Bus schedules are adjusted to accommodate the early release times.

Fall Bus Routes

Find fall bus routes

View instructions on how to check your child's bus route in the FirstViewApp.

Research on School Start Times

Several research studies encourage later start times for middle or high schools.

Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018. Pew Research Center, May 2018
Let Teenagers Sleep In. New York Times Editorial, September 2018
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends middle and high schools delay the start of class to 8:30 a.m. or later. Doing so will align school schedules to the biological sleep rhythms of adolescents, whose sleep-wake cycles begin to shift up to two hours later at the start of puberty. American Academy of Pediatrics, August 2014
The combination of delayed bedtimes and early school start times results in inadequate sleep for a large portion of the adolescent population. Centers for Disease Control, August 2015
The authors of “School Start Time Change: An In-Depth Examination of School Districts in the United States” provide recommendations regarding the process involved in changing school start times as an impetus for school districts across the country take this step. Mind, Brain and Education, December 2014.
The Journal of School Health issued a call to action to a call to action for the implementation of American Academy of Pediatrics/Centers for Disease Control and recommendations across the U.S. Setting Adolescents Up for Success: Promoting a Policy to Delay High School Start Times Journal of School Health, July 2016.

Other districts' experiences with initiatives to change to start times

Seattle Public Schools, Seattle, WA. Studied the issue for 7 months. School Board approved schedule change to 8:30 am or later in November 2015. http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/seattle-board-approves-later-start-times-for-schools/
Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL. Recommendation was driven by transportation costs, rather than sleep research. Approved July 2015. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-school-schedule-changes-met-20150730-story.html
Compilation of Success Stories from school districts in 44 states that have changed start times.
Fairfax County Public Schools, Falls Church, VA. Studied the issue from 2012 to 2014. School board approved schedule change in 2014.
Newton Public Schools, Newton, MA. Began studying the issue in Fall 2015. Currently considering a shift to later start times for high school.
Nauset Regional School District, Nauset, MA. Studied the issue for several years. Implemented later start time at high school in 2012.
St. Paul Public Schools, St. Paul, MN. Began studying the issue in 2013. Board of Education voted against changing start times November 2015.
Bellevue School District, Bellevue, WA. Studied the issue from 2014 to 2015. Board of Education approved the later start time at high school in 2016.
Southern Maine School Districts. Article highlights grass roots efforts by parent groups to delay start times.
Wappingers Central School District, Hopewell Junction, New York. Recommended change in start times. Board of Education voted against changing times for 2016-17. District is revisiting the issue for the 2017-18 school year.
Oklahoma City School District, Oklahoma City, OK. Seven schools in the Oklahoma City School District begin later start times with the 2016-17 school year.
Education Week Scientists Say Teens Need More Sleep. Should States Require Later School Start Times?

Media Reports on School Start Times

Snooze but don't lose: Study confirms academic benefits of later school start times - Education Dive
Let the kids sleep in? Later high school start times can aid youth mental health - Post Cresent
Plan for later middle school start times - WMTV
Catching up: Madison school district narrowing down later start times for middle schoolers - Wisconsin State Journal

Start Times Planning

Start Times Plan

The MMSD Board of Education approved changing school start times in July 2018. You can view this presentation from April 2018 to learn more about the school start times plan. The implementation of the plan, though, was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the beginning of 2023-24 school year, start times were shifted to reflecting the spirit of the start times plan the Board of Education approved. Moving from a three-tier routing system to a more consistent two tier structure. This means we will be able to accommodate earlier start times for our youngest learners while moving all of our middle school students to later start times.

The district engaged in a bid process to hire transportation providers in the spring of 2023, as our current contract ended in the summer of 2023. First Student has been selected as the district's transportation provider. Beginning in the fall 2023, elementary and middle school students were transported on yellow buses provided by First Student. High school students will continue to ride Metro buses to and from school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find before or after school care for my child?

Below are three resources for families to use in locating childcare in any area of the city.

Dane County 211 through United Way of Dane County - United Way 2-1-1 helps connect families with local programs and services. They are available 24/7 and offer free, confidential assistance. They can also direct families to resources to help support child care. Text or call 2-1-1, or visit the website.
MOST (Madison area Out of School Time) The Madison-area Out-of-School Time (MOST) Program Finder is a one-stop-shop for families and youth to find quality programs offered before and after school or during summer and holiday breaks for Madison-area youth. Locate programs near your home or at your child/youth's school. Search the website for programs that match your needs based on location, age, time of day and more.
4C - Madison Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc. (4-C) is part of a network of accredited, non-profit Wisconsin Child Care Resource & Referral agencies The agency strives to ensure every child has access to high quality early care and education through integrated support and expertise. Visit the website or call 608-271-9181.

How does this change affect my middle school student?

Are there any changes at the high school level?

Will my bus stop be the same?

What is the pickup and dropoff time for my child?

My student has received a bus pass in the past and it has worked better for them to ride a regular Madison Metro bus route. Will this be possible?

Why can’t all of the schools start at the same time?

MMSD went to early and late start elementary schools back in 2001 to save significant funds by having our buses transport both an early start and late start school. It would be extremely expensive and cost prohibitive to go back to having buses complete single bus runs. Doing multiple runs is a common, efficient, practice. Some districts have their buses complete triple runs.

I am concerned about my middle school student having to get off on their own in the morning. Have you considered that?

Yes. We have learned that some believe that it is safer for middle school students to get themselves off in the morning rather than elementary students. Also, the change allows a shorter time after school for middle school students, which is the most risky time for that age group to have idle time. While the start time will be 8:40 a.m., many of our students will be boarding the buses around 8 a.m., which will work with many parents having to get to work by 8 a.m. Finally, some parents report that having their middle school student get themselves off is a way to encourage and support their need for increasing responsibility and independence.

By moving elementary schools earlier, aren’t you just transferring the issue to elementary students?

What was the original implementation plan from 2018?

How can school start times affect my child's well-being and learning?

Won't students just stay up later in the evening if they don't have to wake up so early?

It does make sense to think that might happen. We have found some districts that have studied the amount of sleep teens get before and after changing start times and they have found that the bed time does not change significantly. The result is that a significant increase in the percentage of students who are getting eight hours of sleep, which can lead to better outcomes in several areas.

What is the science behind the impact of school start times on children's well-being?

The science behind school start times is rooted in the sleep-wake cycle of adolescents. During puberty, biological changes shift sleep patterns, making it difficult for them to fall asleep early. Delaying school start times allows teenagers to obtain the recommended amount of sleep, which positively influences their mental health, cognitive abilities, academic performance, and overall well-being.

How does MMSD determine the start and dismissal times for each school?

Can I request a change in my child's school start and dismissal times?

Are there any considerations for families with children attending different schools within MMSD?

MMSD aims to minimize challenges faced by families with children attending different schools within the district. However, due to logistical constraints and the need to optimize resources, it may not always be possible to align start and dismissal times perfectly. It is advisable for families to plan accordingly and explore available resources, such as before and after-school care options (see first FAQ above), to address any scheduling conflicts.

Can families provide feedback or suggestions regarding start and dismissal times?

Yes, MMSD encourages families and community members to provide feedback and suggestions regarding start and dismissal times. The district values input from stakeholders and considers it in their decision-making processes. families can reach out to their child's school administration or participate in district-wide surveys or Let’s Talk (https://mmsd.org/lets-talk) to express their opinions and ideas.

How far in advance are start and dismissal times determined for the upcoming school year?

The timeline for determining start and dismissal times for the upcoming school year may vary. Typically, MMSD aims to communicate start and dismissal times well in advance, allowing families to plan accordingly. However, the exact timeline and announcement date may depend on various factors, including finalizing transportation logistics, considering community feedback, and aligning with the overall academic calendar. It is advisable to regularly check the MMSD website or contact your child's school for the most up-to-date information on start and dismissal times for the upcoming school year.