Here’s what you should know about the changes to Tacoma’s 24-25 calendar, bell schedule

Simone Carter

Students, grab your backpacks: The 2024-25 school year is about to begin in Tacoma with updated bell schedules.

Tacoma Public Schools shared information about the district’s calendar and start times in a Sunday, Aug. 25 family-and-community newsletter.

“We are so excited to start the 2024-25 school year and see all of our students!” the district wrote.

Bell schedules

The News Tribune previously reported on the new bell schedules, although the district has since made additional tweaks. Those schedules are, according to the district’s website:

  • Elementary school: Some campuses will begin at 8:40 a.m. and let out at 3:10 p.m. Others will begin at 9 a.m. and let out at 3:30 p.m. The district asks families to refer to the website of their student’s school to see which bell schedule applies.

  • Middle school will begin at 7:40 a.m. and let out at 2:10 p.m.

  • High school will begin at 8:15 a.m. and let out at 2:45 p.m.

  • Community Based Transition will begin at 7:30 a.m. and let out at 1 p.m.

A district spokesperson told The News Tribune in April that certain adjustments related to bus-route schedules have affected this year’s start-and-end times.

“The need for a more efficient system drove the change,” the spokesperson said via email at the time. “These updates reduce the number of bus routes, which will save about $1 million in transportation costs per year.”

Late-start Wednesdays are back and will begin Sept. 11, according to the district’s website. Wednesday mornings start an hour later at every TPS school.

First day of classes

Students’ first day of classes will also differ depending on grade level, per the district’s website:

  • Peer Inclusion Preschool, Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program will begin Monday, Sept. 16.

  • Kindergarten and Transition to Kindergarten will start Thursday, Sept. 12

  • Grades 1-12 will begin Monday, Sept. 9

The district will make bus routes available in the first week of September, according to the district’s website. Be sure to check again the day before school starts for any potential shifts.

For more information about the 2024-25 school year, read the district’s newsletter by visiting tacomaschools.org/about/newsroom/district-newsletters.

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