The 5-10-minute change to school hours will remain in place for the first semester following a successful two-week pilot. The slight shift in schedules increases the time between afternoon bus routes leading to better service. This week, more than 75% of buses were on time and ready to pick up students when the dismissal bell rang. 

School Hours for First Semester

Tier 1 – High Schools
Jamestown, Lafayette, and Warhill: 7:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Tier 2 – Middle and Elementary Schools
Lois S. Hornsby, James Blair, Berkeley, and Toano: 8 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
D.J. Montague, James River, Stonehouse: 8:55 a.m. – 3:25 p.m.

Tier 3 – Elementary Schools
Clara Byrd Baker, J. Blaine Blayton, Laurel Lane, Matoaka, Matthew Whaley, and Norge: 9:40 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Note: Bright Beginnings preschool times will not change

The schedule change is not the only step the division is taking to improve transportation service. WJCC Schools continues to hire and train bus drivers; three new drivers are on the road this week, and ten others are at various stages of training. In addition, the transportation department is constantly reviewing bus routes and will use vans from the division’s white fleet instead of full-size buses for runs with a small number of students. 

All these efforts will be evaluated throughout the first semester, and an update will be provided to families and staff in early January.