Melrose To Implement New School Start Times

MELROSE, MA – Melrose Public Schools will implement new start times at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, Superintendent Cyndy Taymore announced Monday. Elementary schools will start earlier and middle and high schools will begin later, according to a press release.

The new start and end times for students are as follows:

• Franklin Early Childhood Center: 8:40 a.m., end time dependent on program
• Elementary schools: 8:03 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.
• MVMMS and MHS: 8:15 a.m. to 2:41 p.m.

"Over the last several years, as more research has indicated the impact lack of sleep has on older students, we felt that adopting this change was in the best interest of our children, especially young adolescents who will benefit from an extra half hour of rest," Taymore said in a statement. "This has been a long process, and after working with parents, the community, School Committee members and faculty, I’m confident we’ve created a schedule that will work well for everyone."

Burlington, Stoneham and Watertown are the other Middlesex League schools that will implement the change at the start of the 2018-19 school year. Winchester and Lexington are currently discussing how to make the change possible.

Details surrounding Melrose’s transition are currently being finalized between the district and the Melrose Education Association. Plans have been put in place to accommodate extracurricular activities, bus schedules, the METCO program and students who arrive prior to start time.

Taymore will send out a letter to parents and guardians in March outlining the finalized logistics surrounding new start times.

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