Nashville Parents Express Support for a Later High School Start Time, but Change Won’t Be Simple

Stock image of an alarm clock (Photo by Unsplash)

A survey of Nashville parents, school staff, and community members found support for rolling back the 7:05 a.m. start time for most high school students.

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Chief of Communications and Technology Sean Braisted told school board members Tuesday night that 67 percent of the more than 16,000 respondents in an online survey supported adjusting high school start times.

MNPS conducted the survey along with 13 focus groups and two town hall events as part of a districtwide review of school start times announced last month.

Braisted said changing start times for high school students would come with important considerations.

“While there’s broad support for adjusting high school start times, focus group feedback indicated that most had adjusted to the current start time structure and highlighted that the afternoon (stop) time is crucial,” said Braisted. “Students rely on early dismissals for jobs, athletics, and family responsibilities. Families depend on predictable schedules, especially where after-care options are limited.”

Next Steps for Start Time Review

MNPS middle school students start their day at 8:55 a.m., while elementary school students begin at 8 a.m. Braisted said feedback from families and staff indicated support for keeping those start times.

The district is now using the feedback it has received so far to present multiple proposals for changing start times to the public.  MNPS will conduct another online survey and hold town halls next month for parents and staff to provide feedback on those proposals.

Any changes would go into effect during the 2026-27 school year.