Starting with the 2025–26 school year, students in the School District of Lee County will follow a new schedule as the district rolls out updated bell times under its Safe Start Initiative.
Approved unanimously by the Lee County School Board on April 8, the updated schedule introduces a three-tiered transportation system aimed at improving bus efficiency, combating driver shortages, and ensuring more reliable student arrival times. By spacing school start times an hour apart, the district believes bus drivers will be better able to complete one route before starting the next.
Why the Change?
The district’s current on-time rate for morning transportation stands at 82.75%, while afternoons lag at just 59.5%. The new system is expected to significantly improve these numbers by creating more time between routes and increasing efficiency.
New Bell Times by School Level
Elementary Schools:
8:40 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. (with exceptions listed below)
Special Elementary Schedules (7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.):
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Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary
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Skyline Elementary
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Bayshore School
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North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
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The Alva School
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The Sanibel School
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Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
Middle Schools:
9:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
High Schools:
7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
This includes 49-minute classes and a 30-minute lunch, adding an extra 42 hours of instruction throughout the school year.
Additional Adjustments
Special Centers:
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Cape Coral & Fort Myers Technical Colleges: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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Lee Virtual School: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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Young Parent Education Program: 8:40 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
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Early Childhood Learning Center (Head Start): 8:55 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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Early Childhood Learning Center (Infant/Toddler): 7:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
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Royal Palm, Buckingham Exceptional, and Success Academy: 9:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Fiscal Note
The financial impact of these changes, including any bell time adjustments by up to 15 minutes, will be accounted for in the 2026 transportation budget.
For questions or more details, reach out to Meghan Bradbury at news@breezenewspapers.com.
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