The updated start and dismissal times began in August 2023, at the start of the 2023-24 school year.

As in past years, the Transportation Department released bus routes when enrollment was finalized in early August. These routes are posted to the Transportation Department’s webpage and the Back to School webpage.

By altering the school start and dismissal times by just 15 minutes, this will allow bus transportation to be more consistent and reliable, increasing the number of buses and drivers available for each run and allow extra drivers to be available for sports and other activities.

Likewise, each run requires fewer drivers, which will help to eliminate the need for double runs and the occurrence of late buses.

Additionally, some students are currently picked up as early as 5:44 a.m. With the new schedule, no student will need to be on the bus before 6:15 a.m.

The Transportation Work Group previously reviewed the possibility of creating a new three-bell schedule. Following feedback from families and staff about the impacts of larger changes to start and dismissal times, the Work Group looked to other school divisions who have been able to work through the bus driver shortage by moving to this new proposed schedule.

This schedule allows schools to start no more than 15 minutes earlier or later than their current schedule. This will have minimal impacts to students and families while also reducing bus delays. This will not impact students' ability to participate in athletics, extracurriculars, work, or other activities.

Schools open 25 minutes before the first bell rings. For example, if a school's start time is 8 a.m., students may be dropped off as early as 7:35 a.m. 

Because more buses will be available for each run and because the change is only by 15 minutes, minimal changes are expected. In fact, the proposed schedule will prevent some students from having to be picked up so early. Currently, the earliest pick-up time is 5:44 a.m. With the new times, the earliest will be 6:15 a.m. 

Start times are based on the city’s geography as well as elementary schools with specialty programs. Schools with specialty programs, such as PLATO, STEAM, and pre-K, have students who live across the city; therefore, routes are longer, so these schools start at 8 a.m.

Schools with a 7:30 a.m. start time have the following half-day program times:

Reach AM: 7:30-10:50 a.m.
Reach PM: 10:50 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Schools with an 8 a.m. start time have the following half-day program times:

Reach AM: 8-11:20 a.m.
Reach PM: 11:20 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Teacher contracts have remained the same, as they are based on hours rather than specific times.

Students with disabilities continue to receive specialized transportation, as indicated in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

The start and dismissal times to the regional Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science and Technology and private day schools remain the same.

RCPS will continue to monitor bus routes and measure success through consistent, on-time arrivals and dismissals; student, family, and staff satisfaction; improved student attendance; and length of bus routes.