School Start Times

Proposal for the 2024-25 School Year:
Elementary (K-6): 9:00 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Secondary (7-12): 8:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

In an effort to promote overall student health and to ensure they are provided the opportunity to reach their greatest potential, DASD has been researching how shifting school start times may be able to support our students.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine both recommend that teens between the ages of 13 and 18 get at least 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Based on the findings from both the Youth Truth survey and the DASD Pays data, the majority of our DASD high school students are not getting even 8 hours of sleep per night.

Research shows that students in this age group, the melatonin release needed to aid in falling asleep does not release in teen's bodies until after 11:00 p.m., making it difficult for them to go to sleep earlier. Further, studies have found that getting less than the recommended amount of sleep each night impacts both student health and academic achievement.

Stay tuned to this webpage for the latest updates on the start time conversation and answer to frequently asked questions.

March 9 Community Forum 

 

DASD Informational video

The following video provides important information about why the district is considering a change to school start times.

Since the creation of this video, the district has decided to hold any changes until the 2024-25 school year. Doing so will provide additional time to resolve transportation issues, and will allow it to utilize increased instructional time created through the secondary lunch and learn program. The proposed schedule for the 2024-25 school year would be as follows:

• Elementary (K-6): 9:00 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
• Secondary (7-12): 8:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.