Middle schools in the Richmond County School System (RCSS) are set to see their bell schedules increase by 15 minutes in the 2025-2026 school year.
The current bell schedule is 9:15 a.m. to 4:05 p.m., and the change will see dismissal at 4:20 p.m.
With the current schedule, there are 60 minute instructional blocks without transition time and dismissal occurs prior to most buses arriving. The new time will allow for a consistent 60 minute instructional block and will allow time for bus arrival.
This decision was approved at an RCSS committee meeting, but has not been officially voted on. A vote will be held at a future regular board meeting.
The suggestion was presented at the committee meeting by Assistant Superintendent of Middle School Administrative Services Aletha Snowberger, who said that the added time will ensure additional time for personalized learning and student support.
“We’re focusing on student achievement as we take a look at the instructional minutes and maximize those opportunities for our students,” she said.
Furthermore, she said the additional minutes will allow schools to capitalize on instructional minutes while students are waiting for bus arrivals, “to assist in a safe and orderly dismissal.”
Snowberger said that these additional minutes will not change the teachers’ work days and that they will still work eight hours.
Communication to look for
The new bell schedule times will be posted on the district website and individual middle school websites. All middle schools will put the adjusted times on their electronic signs to be on display throughout the summer.
Students will also receive this information in their welcome guides, which they receive in July, and the information will be included in principals’ welcome letter to parents.
