New Staggered Start Days for Grades 6-12

The BHM School Board has made the decision to introduce staggered start dates to kick off the 2018-19 school year. On Tuesday, September 4, 2018, ALL elementary schools and students in grades 6 and 9 will start school. Students in grades 7-8, 10-12, Phoenix Learning Center and PRIDE Transitions will now begin on the second day of school--Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

Transitioning into a new school can be a challenge. Students entering grade 6 at the middle school and grade 9 at the high school often times encounter more anxiety on that first day of school because they have the added stress of navigating a brand-new building. By allowing students in grades 6 and 9 to be in the building on their own, they have an opportunity to figure out their schedule, routine and meet staff without hundreds of other students being in the mix. This will eliminate "Middle School 101" that was a summer program offered to incoming 6th grade students. The change will also eliminate the need for the "Impact Retreat" for incoming 9th grade students next school year.