In September 2023, FCPS awarded a contract to Prismatic Services, Inc., to develop a plan for changing middle school start times. The plan explores starting the middle school day at 8 a.m. or after. 

Our top priority is doing what is best for our students.

Why Is FCPS Exploring Whether or Not to Change Middle School Start Times?

FCPS middle schools start at 7:30 a.m. Research shows that later start times may have positive impacts on student academic performance and mental and emotional well-being. 

In 2011, FCPS surveyed 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students and found that two-thirds of students reported sleeping seven hours or less on an average school night. That is at least two hours short of the recommended 8.5 to 9.5 hours needed per night. 

In 2012, the School Board passed a resolution stating that, “because of the benefits to student health, well-being, and performance, it is a goal of the Fairfax County School Board to achieve high school start times after 8 a.m., so that students are able to obtain a healthy and sufficient amount of sleep, as defined by sleep research and medical experts.”

In 2013, a contract was awarded to the National Children’s Medical Center (NCMC) to research the effects of sleep on adolescents, and to work with the School Board and staff to devise a plan for FCPS students. This plan was known as the Blueprint for Change.

NCMC found that high school classes beginning at 7:20 a.m. could negatively affect student health. In October 2014, the board voted to delay high school start times to 8 a.m. or after, beginning in the 2015-16 school year. As a result, middle school start times moved up to 7:30 a.m. FCPS’ superintendent in 2015 stated that she would consider pushing back middle school start times at a later date. 

Community Engagement

Community engagement is an important part of this work. Last year, the public was invited to attend community forums to learn more about the middle school start times project and share feedback. Four community forums took place in April and May 2024. 

Documentation: Background  I  Spring Series Outcomes

PowerPoint Presentation (PDF): English  I  Spanish 
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