Fairfax Public Schools Consider Changing Class Start Times

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools are asking families and employees to weigh in on a proposal to start school 30 minutes later, potentially changing schedules for thousands of students beginning in the 2027-28 school year.

The school division announced that a public survey will open Nov. 17 and remain available through Dec. 1.

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The Fairfax County School Board reviewed proposed changes during a Nov. 10 work session as part of a long-running effort to give middle school students more time to sleep.

The survey will ask respondents to choose between keeping the current school schedules or shifting school start times 30 minutes later.

Under the proposed schedule, middle schools would begin at 8 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m., while most high schools would begin at 8:40 a.m. instead of 8:10 a.m.

Elementary schools would also start 30 minutes later, with start times ranging from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., depending on the school.

The district has been studying later start times because research suggests that additional sleep can benefit students' academic performance, mental health and emotional well-being.

FCPS delayed high school start times in 2015, but that change resulted in earlier start times for middle schools, many of which currently begin at 7:30 a.m.

School officials say they are trying to support students' health while also avoiding disruptions to staff schedules and minimizing transportation expenses.

The School Board voted in October 2025 to postpone any districtwide changes until at least the 2027-28 school year to allow time for transportation system improvements and consideration of school boundary changes.

The board is expected to review the latest survey results in December and vote on possible schedule changes later that month.

No changes have been approved.

Families can review the proposed schedules and find information about the survey on the FCPS School Start Times webpage.