Highland Park sets later start times for middle and high schools this fall

HIGHLAND PARK – Some district students can get a little more sleep starting this fall when later start times are implemented at the middle and high schools.

The later start times beginning in September follows three years of discussion and planning with teachers, the teachers union, support staff, school administration and the Board of Education, according to district officials.

The new school hours will be 8:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Highland Park Middle School; 8:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for nonacademic A Period classes at Highland Park High School, and a 9:02 a.m. start for first period at the high school for a school day that runs to 3 p.m. Irving Primary School will run 8:10 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., while Bartle Elementary School will run 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Currently, Highland Park Middle School has a 7:58 a.m. start time and school ends at 2:50 p.m. At the high school, where the school day ends at 2:40 p.m., A Period begins at 7:48 a.m. with first period beginning at 8:41 a.m.

Superintendent of Schools Kristina Nicosia said the change is a direct response to research that supports the impact of later school start times on middle and high school students’ academic achievement, mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.

"Transportation was the biggest challenge we had to figure out," said Nicosia, adding the new start times required a reworking of school bus routes. She credited schools transportation coordinator Sheryl Magaziner for mapping out new routes that serve students in all schools in the areas of the borough that receive courtesy busing.

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Nicosia said the change in start times aligns with public opinion, as assessed in a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll in which more than half of the respondents supported a state Legislature proposal setting 8:30 a.m. as the earliest start time for high schools.

"As adults it's easy to underestimate the pressure our children are under to perform academically, provide childcare for younger siblings, or hold down a job while going to school," said Linda Holt, a parent of a Highland Park High School student.

"Through my child's experience with her high school course load, I have seen that a later start time would have definitely supported her performance at school. The research over the past several years confirms that students do better academically and emotionally with later school start times. We should do whatever we can to support students in being fully engaged in school," Holt said.

Board of Education President Marilyn Pruce said the later start times will allow the school board to better meet the physical, social and emotional needs of middle and high school students because research has shown well rested students come to school prepared to learn.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.