2026-2027 School Start and End Time Changes

School Start & End Time Changes for 2026-2027

EMS ISD will adjust school start and end times beginning in the 2026-2027 school year to better support students and families across the district. 

These changes are part of a larger effort to ensure long-term financial and operational stability for the district, expand student opportunities at the high school level, and improve transportation reliability. 

What is changing?

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, campus schedules will be organized as follows:

School Level	School Day	Doors Open
Elementary Schools	7:25 a.m. - 2:45 a.m.	7:00 a.m.
High Schools	8:15 a.m. - 3:49 p.m.	7:45 a.m.
Middle Schools	9:05 a.m. - 4:22 p.m.	8:15 a.m.

 

• All elementary schools will move to the same tier.
• Lake Pointe and Gililland Elementary will shift to an earlier start time with all other elementary schools.
• Secondary programs, including athletics, fine arts, and HCTC, will adjust schedules to align with the new transportation model.

What this means for your family?

We know schedule changes impact daily routines. These adjustments are designed to:

• Ensure long-term financial and operational stability for EMS ISD
• Give students greater access to classes, programs, and activities
• Reduce conflicts between academics and extracurriculars
• Support a smoother, more efficient school day across the district
• Provide more consistent, dependable transportation

While change can take time to adjust to, EMS ISD is committed to supporting families every step of the way.

What happens next?

• Detailed campus-level information will be shared as planning continues.
• Transportation details will be provided closer to the start of the school year.
• Ongoing updates will be shared through ParentSquare and campus communication.

Have questions?

We have created a detailed FAQ to help answer common questions and provide additional information. 

School Start & End Time Change FAQ