Since fall, the School Start Times Advisory Committee has been meeting to research and explore school start times options.

Consideration of adjusting start times stems from interest in beginning secondary schools later than the current schedule. (Mount Si High School and the District’s middle schools currently begin at 7:40 a.m.) Community feedback received through Thoughtexchange engagement activities continues to show some support for later start times for high school students, and research points to numerous benefits for teens.

In November and December, the committee launched the first School Start Times survey exploring four potential options. That survey resulted in varied feedback across all the scenarios, with no single option receiving more than 50 percent support. Since then, the committee has determined that a couple of those options are not feasible, due to a combination of transportation logistics, increased costs, and more staffing needed.

Currently, the committee is looking at two options, for which they would again like community feedback. They ask the community to share their input into this process through the School Start Times Survey 2. This survey is open from March 23 through April 6.

Click here to take Survey 2 regarding school start times.

In no particular order, the two options include:

• Elementary school: 9:25 a.m. to 3:46 p.m. — Middle school: 8:00 a.m. to 2:54 p.m. — High school: 8:00 a.m. to 2:39 p.m.
• Elementary school: 8:00 a.m. to 2:21 p.m. — Middle school: 9:15 a.m. to 4:09 p.m. — High school: 9:15 a.m. to 3:54 p.m.

For context, the current SVSD schedule is:

• Elementary School: 9:05 a.m. to 3:26 p.m. — Middle School: 7:40 a.m. to 2:34 p.m. — High School: 7:40 a.m. to 2:19 p.m.

Potential changes could involve all grade levels (elementary and secondary), so feedback from all perspectives is valued and appreciated.

“Some school districts, who have gone through a similar process, have made significant changes, others made small adjustments, and some decided not to make any changes at all, after an in-depth review. We are committed to reaching a solution that makes most sense for our Snoqualmie Valley students, staff, and families,” said Assistant Superintendent Jeff Hogan, who is co-facilitating this study. “Input from the community, students, staff and parents is vitally important to this process, so we hope many of our stakeholders will take a few minutes to complete Survey 2.”

The final recommendation and the timing of possible changes is still to be determined.

Updates on the work of the School Start Times Advisory Committee are posted online.