Start Time Project - D9, D10, D23
SUMMARY
Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding school start times for Constituent Districts 9, 10, and 23. We greatly appreciate your input and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on this important issue.
After thoughtful deliberation, careful review of community feedback, and extensive research on best practices, the start times for these districts will be aligned with the rest of Charleston County School District (CCSD) and the state, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. No changes will be made for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
We are announcing this transition well in advance to allow ample time for families, staff, and the community to plan and ensure the necessary support systems are in place before the adjustment takes effect in August 2026.
LINK: Start Time Overview .PDF
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The CCSD School Start Time Project is an initiative to align school schedules in Districts 9, 10, and 23 with research-based best practices that support student success, family logistics, and community needs. These districts currently operate on schedules different from the rest of Charleston County, which prompted this review.
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In 2024, a CCSD Working Group was created to research and consider best practices, engage stakeholder groups, and determine the impacts of any recommended changes. The Group began by examining research and case studies on school start times, with a particular focus on the proven benefits of later start times for high school students.
This literature review explores the impact of sleep on student outcomes, especially in adolescents, emphasizing how biological changes during puberty delay sleep cycles, leading to chronic sleep deprivation when schools start early. Studies indicate that later start times enhance sleep quality, mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being while also reducing absenteeism and car accidents.
Additionally, the review addresses practical challenges such as childcare, transportation, and after-school activities, offering valuable insights for districts looking to implement effective transitions to later start times. Please click to view a summary of the School Start Times Review.
Stakeholders—including parents, students, school staff, community organizations, and governmental and non-governmental partners—were also identified early to ensure inclusive participation. In addition, the Group assessed the potential impacts of changes on family routines, transportation, extracurricular activities, childcare, and safety.
At the Board of Trustees Meeting on November 11, 2024, Executive Director for Career and Technical Education presented an update for the project. Please click the link to watch the video (timestamp of 1:37:40 to 2:10:30).
To gather input, the Group distributed surveys to parents, teachers, and students in Districts 9, 10, and 23, and encouraged community members to share their thoughts and concerns by emailing StartTimes@charleston.k12.sc.us.
The Working Group also hosted three in-person listening sessions in each of the districts and held a Facebook Live event to update the public on the process and solicit further feedback.
LISTENING CIRCLE HIGHLIGHTS
Community listening sessions in D9, D10, and D23 discussed:
- Traffic and infrastructure concerns.
- Educational and developmental considerations.
- The need for equitable and community-specific solutions.
FINAL SURVEY RESULTS
There were 5,747 completed and valid survey responses that were collected, including input from parents, students, employees, and community members.
Survey Responses Overview
- 2,423 Parent Only
- 860 CCSD Employee Only
- 468 Parent and Employee
- 1,940 Current Students
- 44 Community Members
- 12 Grandparents
Key Concerns:
- Sleep and developmental needs
- Time management and scheduling conflicts
- Family logistics and childcare challenges
- Traffic and commute considerations
| CCSD Employee | Option 1 | Option 2 | Either |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (within the district) | 40.00% | 60.00% | 0.0% |
| D9 | 59.89% | 34.22% | 5.88% |
| D10 | 47.65% | 49.03% | 3.32% |
| D23 | 69.67% | 26.23% | 4.10% |
|
Student |
Option 1 | Option 2 | Either |
| Other (within the district) | 45.45% | 47.73% | 6.82% |
| D9 | 43.33% | 48.67% | 8.00% |
| D10 | 62.65% | 28.30% | 9.04% |
| D23 | 72.60% | 20.67% | 6.73% |
| Parent | Option 1 | Option 2 | Either |
| Other (within the district) | 38.32% | 53.27% | 8.41% |
| D9 | 80.72% | 16.64% | 2.65% |
| D10 | 74.56% | 22.00% | 3.44% |
| D23 | 87.20% | 7.93% | 4.88% |
| Volunteer | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Other (within the district) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| D9 | 66.67% | 33.33% | 0.00% |
| D10 | 0.00% | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| D23 | 100.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| CCSD Employee + Parent | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Other (within the district) | 57.81% | 32.81% | 9.38% |
| D9 | 56.25% | 37.50% | 6.25% |
| D10 | 62.38% | 32.01% | 5.61% |
| D23 | 63.64% | 15.15% | 21.21% |
| Community Member | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Other (within the district) | 0.00% | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| D9 | 56.25% | 43.75% | 0.00% |
| D10 | 60.00% | 33.33% | 6.67% |
| D23 | 100.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Option #1 – No change to current schedules:
Elementary: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (approx.)
Middle & High School: 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM (approx.)
Option #2 – Revised start times:
Elementary: 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM (approx.)
Middle & High School: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (approx.)
Option #3 - Either option is fine.