Start times for Fayetteville-Manlius schools may get pushed back in 2026. The school district is asking for public comment on a pair of proposals for later times due to research that showed later start times improves student performance.
One proposal would push all school starting times 30 minutes later. In that scenario elementary schools would start at 9:15 a.m., high school at 8:15 a.m., and middle schools at 8:30 a.m.
The other proposal would flip the times, elementary schools starting at 8:15 a.m., middle schools at 8:30 a.m., and high school at 9:15 a.m. The later start time for high schoolers is based on research showing adolescent brains need extra sleep for cognitive development.
Parents and students are asked to fill out a survey regarding the proposal here F-M Schools Start Time Survey. Any change would be implemented in the Fall of 2026.