Metro Nashville Public Schools to Consider Changing School Start Times
Image of a school clock (Photo by Erik Mclean/Pexels)
The days of 7:05 a.m. start times for high school students in Nashville may be numbered.
Metro Nashville Public Schools announced plans for a districtwide review of school start and end times on Friday. The district said in a news release that this review will include months of public engagement and research to gather opinions from families, students, educators, and other stakeholders in Davidson County.
Most district high schools currently start at 7:05 a.m., while middle schools begin at 8:55 a.m., and elementary schools begin at 8 a.m.
“No decisions have been made yet. While we’ve been exploring this topic for many years, this process is about listening to our students, families, educators, and partners about what is working well and what can be improved upon to ensure the needs of students and families are being met,” said Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle. “We know there are opportunities and challenges with any start time structure for schools, and we want to ensure that any future changes are informed by the lived experiences of our community and grounded in what’s best for students both in and outside the classroom.”
The district’s review of start times will begin in early 2026 with an initial awareness and input gathering phase. The district will then move to a community reaction and potential draft schedule phase, followed by a final recommendation phase.
Mayor O’Connell to Play a Role
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has publicly discussed the benefits of moving back start times, and his office is planning to assist in the district’s review.
"I’m excited to start this community conversation. This isn’t just about bells and buses – it's how we set our students up for continued success," Mayor Freddie O'Connell said. "Research shows that how we structure and optimize instructional time has a real impact on student health and success. I'm excited to partner with the district to review what works best for Metro Schools' diverse families, teachers, and students."
