Our school District, after many meetings, surveys and discussions, changed the school start times last year. Elem starts at 8:00, High School starts at 8:30 and Middle School starts at 9:15. It has problems, but I think it solves quite a few too. Mostly, the reason was that studies show teenagers sleep later and go to be later (their natural clock). While Elem students are up earlier and learn better earlier in the day. Also, Middle School kids tend to get in the most trouble with lots of unsupervised time after school. The Elem doesn't start before 8 because of the busing times. High School gets out next in the afternoon so the kids can go work. Both High School and Middle School kids do activities before school, as well as after school. It also allows Elem kids to play time in the afternoon, and a chance to get their afterschool activities finished, the dinner and homework in a reasonable time. It has inconveniences, but so did the other way. We learn to adjust.

Our k-5 are let out 1 hour before the Middle School. The High school is later yet. This is so that the same buses can be used for all groups taking them home. It is better to separate the grades on the way home. The buses are less crowded and full ones would mean more trouble from rowdy kids. It also helps parents that pick up their kids. They don't have to be at all schools at the same time.

Thanks everyone!! I recieved a notice in Friday's papers we will be starting August 19th but an interesting twist, the K-5th grades will be dismissed 15 minutes before 6-12th! Shouldn't this be the other way around so high school students can get to work or just outta the way!
We do have a larger number of K-5 than 6-12th ...
I don't know. I am going to bring it up with the school board. Just wondering.

Our school year starts the second week of August. We do not get out until at least one week into June. They build in snow days during the year and the kids have off at strange times during the year if they do not use the snow days. One year they had off every Friday in May! These are moved around every year but I hear it is to keep graduation dates set.
Our kids have long ..very long bus rides. Elementary school starts at 7:30 am. Most kids get on the bus at 6:30 am! They get out at 2:15. Many get in around 4:00 pm. I know this is not right but whenever a state timer is on the bus, they always "make it under time" by dropping off kids in groups (where they are not supposed to drop them off). With the early hours, sometimes fog will cancel school. They will do a 2 hour delay and then if it hasn't cleared.(which would only be 8:30 am to make the bus call) they end up cancelling school.
The older kids start later...8:00. This is still early because they have to be on the same buses as the younger kids but then stay on the bus after it drops off the elementary school kids and then continues to the middle school and high school.
Very few people like this arrangement but with the territory they have to cover, this is the way they do it. I have seen kids of all age groups asleep in class. By the early afternoon, the kids are not attentive. Most people have figured out that if they drive their kids to school, they can sleep for an extra hour!

I have found out that the school wants to have the semester end before the holiday break and other goofy reasons I guess were not important enough for me to remember!! HAHAHA!
Now they are looking at starting school at 8:10AM instead of 9:00 as the buses will be cheaper.... My husband takes our children to school but I can't help but think of the children that already wait for an 8:00 AM bus to go to school at 9:00!
Anyway, thanks for giving me an idea! I may just vote yes on my survey and better plan our summer!

We set a district record by starting August 15th this year. I haven't heard that the calendar for next year is set yet, so I don't know if we are looking at August 14th or August 21st. Counting back from Christmas, I suspect we are looking at the 14th so we can end first semester before Christmas.

I have very mixed feelings about this. I remember coming back from Christmas break when I was in school, and spending our time reviewing everything we had studied to prepare for finals. On the flip side, it is difficult to schedule summer activities with school starting so soon.