In partnership and with feedback from the School Board, Principals, and TALC, the Safe Start Initiative creates three tiers of start times instead of the current four. With the School Board's approval, the start and end times for the 2025-2026 school year would be:
High Schools
7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
K-8 Schools
7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Skyline Elementary and Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. Elementary
7:30 a.m. to -2:00 p.m.
All other Elementary Schools Including Young Parent Education Program and Early Childhood Learning Center
8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Middle Schools Including Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, Royal Palm Exceptional Center and Success Academy
9:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The three-tiered start system builds upon the efficiency already provided to busing by proximity-based school assignment zones. Spacing start times an hour apart allows drivers to finish one tier before moving onto the next. Students will spend less time waiting for a bus and more time engaged in learning. Drivers will be better focused on safety and reliability.
Once in place, the School District will monitor the system to make any necessary adjustments.