Research has shown that adolescents can benefit academically from later start times. For that reason, many schools across the country, including some of our neighboring schools, have pushed back the start time for their high school students.
Bethel Park School District is considering a similar change, but we realize that any change can have ramifications beyond the classroom. That is why it has convened a subcommittee to research the issue and report its findings. Part of the subcommittee's research is a community survey, to gauge district families' interest in this initiative.
They want your opinions on how a change in school start times might impact students and their families, as well as the BPSD community at large, as the district considers this significant change.
For your reference:
- Bethel Park High School classes begin at 7:25 AM
- Independence Middle School classes begin at 7:25 AM
- Neil Armstrong Middle School classes begin at 8:05 AM
- Elementary school classes begin at 9:20 AM
Please note that the district's school buses begin picking up students before those start times, sometimes as early as 45 minutes on average before school starts.