2023-2024 School Start Times Evaluation
Feb. 23, 2023: Board of Education Adjusts School Start Times for the 2023-2024 School Year
The Howard County Board of Education adjusted the HCPSS school start times for the 2023-2024 year, shifting high schools to begin at 8:00 a.m., among other changes. Full details are available online.
Jump to: Adopted Bell Times | FAQs | Supporting Students | Background | Board Reports | Public Input | Work Sessions
Adopted School Bell Times
The plan adopted by the Board results in start times occurring in three tiers. Some schools may start slightly before or after the stated time for each tier. The exact start time for each school will be determined later this spring and shared with the community as transportation routes are finalized.
2023-2024 Board-Adopted School Bell Times
- Tier 1: HS/MS 8:00 AM – 2:45 PM
- Tier 2: MS 8:40 AM – 3:25 PM / ES 8:40 AM – 3:10 PM
- Tier 3: ES 9:15 AM – 3:45 PM
Note: The time in parentheses is the school’s current 2022-2023 start time.
| Tier 1 – 8:00 AM | Tier 2 – 8:40 AM | Tier 3 – 9:15 AM |
|---|---|---|
| Atholton HS (7:25) | Bollman Bridge ES (8:35) | Atholton ES (9:15) |
| Cedar Lane School (7:55) | Bonnie Branch MS (8:10) | Bellows Spring ES (9:25) |
| Centennial HS (7:25) | Bryant Woods ES (8:45) | Bushy Park ES (9:20) |
| Clarksville MS (8:25) | Burleigh Manor MS (8:00) | Clarksville ES (9:25) |
| Dunloggin MS (7:40) | Centennial Lane ES (8:45) | Clemens Crossing ES (9:15) |
| Elkridge Landing MS (8:00) | Cradlerock ES (8:15) | Deep Run ES (9:25) |
| Folly Quarter MS (7:40) | Dayton Oaks ES (9:00) | Elkridge ES (9:25) |
| Glenelg HS (7:25) | Ducketts Lane ES (8:50) | Forest Ridge ES (9:15) |
| Hammond HS (7:25) | Ellicott Mills MS (8:25) | Fulton ES (9:25) |
| Homewood Center (7:25) | Glenwood MS (7:40) | Gorman Crossing ES (9:25) |
| Howard HS (7:25) | Hammond ES (9:00) | Guilford ES (9:25) |
| Guilford Park HS (N/A) | Hammond MS (8:05) | Hanover Hills ES (8:50) |
| Long Reach HS (7:25) | Harpers Choice MS (8:05) | Hollifield Station ES (8:45) |
| Marriotts Ridge HS (7:25) | Jeffers Hill ES (9:00) | Ilchester ES (9:25) |
| Mount Hebron HS (7:25) | Lake Elkhorn MS (8:00) | Laurel Woods ES (9:00) |
| Oakland Mills HS (7:25) | Lime Kiln MS (8:25) | Lisbon ES (8:40) |
| Oakland Mills MS (7:55) | Manor Woods ES (8:45) | Longfellow ES (8:55) |
| Patuxent Valley MS (7:40) | Mayfield Woods MS (8:00) | Northfield ES (8:40) |
| Reservoir HS (7:25) | Mount View MS (8:00) | Pointers Run ES (9:25) |
| River Hill HS (7:25) | Murray Hill MS (8:25) | Running Brook ES (9:25) |
| Wilde Lake HS (7:25) | Patapsco MS (8:05) | St. Johns Lane ES (8:45) |
| Phelps Luck ES (8:55) | Stevens Forest ES (9:00) | |
| Rockburn ES (8:50) | Thunder Hill ES (9:25) | |
| Swansfield ES (8:45) | Veterans ES (9:25) | |
| Talbott Springs ES (8:40) | Waterloo ES (9:25) | |
| Thomas Viaduct MS (8:10) | Waverly ES (9:15) | |
| Triadelphia Ridge ES (8:55) | West Friendship ES (9:15) | |
| Wilde Lake MS (8:00) | Worthington ES (9:25) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding changes to school start times can be found on the HCPSS Help website. FAQs are continually being added and/or updated so please check back often.
Supporting Students
Changes can be difficult for children and some struggle more than others. School administrators and staff in every school are prepared to support students following changes to the start times and bell schedules. Staff will make every effort to ensure this transition is as easy as possible for students and families.
More information will be provided during the spring of 2023.
Background Information
On April 15, 2021, the Board of Education directed the Superintendent to review and evaluate the current student school start times and to prepare a recommendation regarding suggested new start times for submission to the Board of Education. The HCPSS Student Transportation Office worked with Decision Support Group to analyze current start times, bell schedules and transportation routes and develop a plan that could adjust school opening times.
Please note: Decision Support Group is a Board of Education-approved independent consultant that served as a neutral facilitator throughout the start times evaluation process.
Reports to the Board
- February 10, 2022: The Board of Education voted to approve the start times evaluation process. View the message to the community →
- March 24, 2022: School Start Times Format/Template Report
- June 9, 2022: Implementation Plan Progress Report
- June 23, 2022: Transportation Service Model and Technology Improvements Report
- July 14, 2022: SY 23/24 Provisional School by School Bell Time Report
- August 16, 2022: Transportation Organization Change Report
- October 20, 2022: Implementation Plan Progress Report
- December 15, 2022: Final School by School Bell Time Report (See report for proposed bell times)
Public Input & Work Sessions
Public Input
Community members had multiple opportunities and ways to provide input and recommendations to the Board of Education, including a public hearing:
-
January 17, 2023
Members of the public who could not attend a public hearing were able to submit written testimony online or via USPS mail.
Work Sessions
The Board of Education held a public work session to discuss school start times considerations:
-
January 24, 2023