CCSD Seeks Community Input on Proposed School Start Time Changes
The Clark County School District is considering shifting all school start times 30 minutes later beginning in the 2026–2027 school year and wants to hear from every member of our community before making this important decision.
Most CCSD high schools begin at 7:00 a.m., most middle schools at 8:00 a.m., and most elementary schools at 9:00 a.m. Under the proposal, these would shift 30 minutes later. Some schools have unique schedules, and their start times may vary slightly. For a full list of school-by-school start times, please refer to the 2025-2026 Bell Schedule.
A community survey launching September 26 will gather input from students, parents/guardians, staff, and community members about the potential change. The online survey takes less than three minutes to complete and will be available in multiple languages through October 17, 2025.
Why This Matters
This districtwide change would affect every school in CCSD, impacting daily schedules for families, transportation, after-school activities, and staff. Research suggests later start times can improve student health and academic performance, but the District recognizes that any scheduling change has wide-reaching implications for our entire community.
“Community input is essential as we consider this potential change,” said Superintendent Jhone Ebert. “Every family, student, and staff member brings a unique perspective on how this shift could impact daily life. We’re committed to hearing from all stakeholders and the entire school community.”
How to Participate
The survey will be available at https://weareccsd.net/starttime starting September 26.
The survey asks about potential impacts on family schedules, transportation, childcare, work arrangements, and student activities. All responses are anonymous and will help inform the Board of School Trustees’ decision-making process.
Survey Details:
- Dates: Friday, September 26–Friday, October 17, 2025
- Time: Less than 3 minutes
- Languages: Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Amharic
- Access: Online at https://weareccsd.net/starttime
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is CCSD considering later start times?
Research shows that adolescents benefit from more sleep in the morning. Currently, most high schools start at 7 a.m. Later start times are linked to improved student health, attendance, and academic performance. At the same time, CCSD recognizes that changing start times affects transportation, family schedules, after-school activities, and work arrangements. That’s why community input is so important.
What research?
What about students who rely on Safekey?
CCSD is working with local municipal partners to ensure the continuity of the Safekey program for our families. In the event the Board of School Trustees approves later school start times, the District has requested that municipalities maintain the current morning start time for Safekey and adjust the afternoon end time to be compatible with the new dismissal schedule. This conversation is still in progress.
Who can participate in the survey?
All residents of Clark County, including students, parents/guardians, staff, and community members, are invited to complete the survey. Every perspective helps the District better understand the potential impacts of this change.
How long will the survey take?
The survey is designed to take less than three minutes.
Will my responses be anonymous?
Yes. All survey responses are anonymous and will be used to guide the Board of School Trustees as they consider this decision.
What languages is the survey available in?
The survey will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Amharic.
Where can I find the survey?
The survey will be available online at weareccsd.net/starttime from Friday, September 26 to Friday, October 17, 2025.
Why not just swap elementary and high school start times?
This idea has been studied before, but it comes with significant challenges. Swapping start times would require additional bus routes, adding more than $10 million in transportation costs, resources the District does not currently have.
A later high school start (9:00 a.m. or later) could also cause conflicts with athletics, especially for teams that use facilities without evening lighting. In addition, many families rely on older siblings to care for younger children after school; reversing the schedule could disrupt these routines.
For these reasons, CCSD is prioritizing cost-neutral solutions that balance student health, family needs, and budget realities.
