EDIT: Sept 23rd, 2025 

 Late start time is once again being presented as an option 2. FCPS has new recent survey posted on the website. https://fcpsk12va.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JMlLRRFc6PD3My 

A 9:50 a.m. start time is NOT age-appropriate for elementary school children, and we must continue to advocate for schedules that best support their learning and well-being. 

Petition Against the Proposed LATE Start Time for Elementary Schools

To: Fairfax County Public Schools Board
Re: Opposing the LATE Elementary School Start Time & Supporting Earlier Options

We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and community members of Fairfax County Public Schools, strongly oppose the proposed LATE start time for elementary schools. Example of Canterbury Woods Elementary start time will be pushed to 9:50am. This drastic change will negatively impact students' learning, disrupt family schedules, and create unnecessary challenges for working parents. Additionally, a late dismissal poses serious safety concerns for young students, particularly in the winter months when they will be walking home or waiting for buses in the dark. It will also disrupt after-school activities that are essential for students’ development, social engagement, and physical well-being.

We understand that middle school start times need to change, but it cannot happen at the expense of elementary school students. This is not Middle School vs. Elementary School—this is Buses vs. Education. School schedules should be designed with students’ learning needs as the priority, not just dictated by transportation logistics.

Concerns About a LATE Start Time:

Misalignment with Children's Natural Sleep Cycles – Young children naturally wake up early. A late start leads to long, unstructured mornings, making it harder for students to stay engaged and productive later in the day.
Hindering Learning and Academic Performance – Research shows that younger students learn best in the morning when they are most alert. Delaying instruction until later in the morning may reduce their ability to focus and retain information.
Burden on Working Families – Many parents rely on school schedules that align with standard work hours. A later start time creates significant childcare challenges, additional costs, and workplace conflicts for parents.
Safety Concerns with Late Dismissal – A late start means children will not be dismissed until 4:35 PM, which is especially problematic in winter when it gets dark early. Many elementary school children will be walking home or waiting for buses in the dark, increasing safety risks. Also Canterbury Woods Elementary serves as one of centers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, some of whom have a 45-minute bus ride home. A later dismissal means these young children may not get home until after 5:30 PM, which is unacceptable.

Our Request:

We strongly urge the Fairfax County Public Schools Board and Superintendent office to listen for input from parents of kids in elementary schools (7years in school). Elementary schools can't start at 9:50am, and be dismissed at 4:35am. That's just NOT a viable option.