PHILADELPHIA - High schools in the Philadelphia school district will start at 9 a.m. this fall as the next wave of changes that officials hope will improve transportation and education.
Spokesperson Monica Lewis said the district's plan to phase to a three-tiered bell schedule started last fall, impacting kindergarten through 8th grade. "The American Academy of Pediatrics whim have stated that a later start time for high school students would help them arrive to school more alert and prepared to learn," Lewis said.
In a letter to families, the district said the plan also "promotes safer travel in the mornings" since most high school students are responsible for their own commute to school. "This effort improves the overall transportation experience for our students, even as we continue to face a nationwide bus driver shortage," the letter said.
FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce spoke to parents who are onboard with the change. "I would rather him go in a little later a little lighter out in the morning considering all the things going on in city," Cherise Dandy-Miller said.