MCPS Releases New Bell Times

Montgomery County Public Schools has released the new school starting and ending times—also known as bell times—for the 2015-2016 school year.

Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to change bell times for the next school year, in order to provide students—especially those in high school—the opportunity to start school later. Starting next school year, middle schools and high schools will start and end 20 minutes later than this year. Elementary schools will start 10 minutes later and end 20 minutes later—meaning the school day will be ten minutes longer next year. Under the new schedule:

• High schools will hold classes from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.;
• Middle schools will hold classes from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except John Poole Middle School, which will run from 7:55 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.);
• Tier 1 elementary schools (which currently start at 8:50 a.m.) will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.; and
• Tier 2 elementary schools (which currently start at 9:15 a.m.) will run from 9:25 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Click here to see the start times for each school in MCPS, including special schools.

The change in bell times will have no impact on the district’s operating budget, with any additional staffing costs offset by savings realized by shortening the length of the transportation window, according to the school system.

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