District: School start and end times to change beginning in 2027-28 school year

Following two years of work and a recommendation by the Edmonds School District’s Start and End Times Task Force, the District will implement revised school start and end times beginning with the 2027-28 school year. There will be no changes to school start and end times for the 2026-27 school year.

According to a District newsletter post, the reason for this change is a growing body of scientific research showing that later start times for adolescents can have a positive impact on student health, well-being and academic success. Medical and sleep experts have consistently found that teenagers’ natural sleep cycles shift during adolescence, making it difficult for many students to fall asleep early enough to get the recommended amount of rest before an early school start time.

Studies have linked later start times to improved attendance, increased alertness, better academic performance and positive mental health outcomes, the District said.

The decision follows extensive community engagement, including surveys and feedback from families, students and staff. District leaders reviewed the results alongside operational considerations such as transportation, childcare, equity impacts and after-school activities.

According to the newsletter:

Community feedback showed strong support for later high school start times, with many respondents expressing a desire to see changes implemented as soon as possible. After careful consideration, District leadership determined that the 2027-28 school year offers the best balance between responding to that urgency and ensuring the district is fully prepared for a successful transition.

Implementing the change in 2027-28 provides an additional year for planning and preparation. This includes refining transportation routes, working with childcare providers, evaluating impacts on extracurricular activities, and developing strategies to support students and families across the district. The additional planning time will also allow the district to learn from other school systems that have recently implemented similar changes.

The start and end times that will be implemented for the 2027-28 school year are below.

Tier 1: 7:20 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Beverly Elementary
Cedar Valley Elementary
Cedar Way Elementary
Chase Lake Elementary
College Place Elementary
Hilltop Elementary
Martha Lake Elementary
Meadowdale Elementary
Mountlake Terrace Elementary
Oak Heights Elementary
Terrace Park Elementary
Westgate Elementary

Tier 2: 8:05 a.m. – 2:37 p.m.
Edmonds-Woodway High School
Lynnwood High School
Meadowdale High School
Mountlake Terrace High School
Scriber Lake High School

Tier 3: 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Alderwood Middle School
Brier Terrace Middle School
College Place Middle School
Edmonds Elementary
Lynndale Elementary
Meadowdale Middle School
Seaview Elementary

Tier 4: 9:25 a.m. – 3:55 p.m.
Alderwood Early Childhood Center
Brier Elementary
Hazelwood Elementary
Lynnwood Elementary
Madrona K-8
Maplewood Cooperative
Sherwood Elementary
Spruce Elementary