Waukee CSD Announces New Bell Times for 2025-26 School Year
Waukee Community School District is announcing updated start and end times for grades 6-12, beginning in the 2025-26 school year.
New Bell Times Effective Fall 2025
- Grades TK-5: 8:50 a.m.–3:40 p.m. (No change)
- Grades 6-8: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Grade 9: 7:40 a.m.–2:40 p.m.
- Grades 10-12: 7:50 a.m.–2:50 p.m.
Why Are Bell Times Changing?
These adjustments are the result of a thoughtful, districtwide process that included input from staff and administrators. Several key factors guided our decision:
- Added Time for Busing
Our transportation partner, Durham School Services, requested an additional 10 minutes between the secondary and elementary routes to ensure buses arrive on time. Because elementary bell times cannot be pushed later — students must be on buses or picked up by 4 p.m. — a slight adjustment was made to start secondary bell times earlier. - Shared 9-12 Transportation
Beginning next year, 9th grade students will share bus routes with students in grades 10–12. This change will streamline transportation and reduce overall costs. The time gap between 9th grade and high school bell times allows for shared buses while spreading out student drivers in the parking lots. - Support for Transitional Kindergarten
As we launch TK in Fall 2025, some students will need to shuttle between their neighborhood school and their TK school. The new bell schedule ensures that this travel can happen without interrupting instructional time. - Aligned Instructional Time Across Grade Levels
Teachers and leaders have advocated for more consistency in instructional minutes across schools. These changes bring our schedules closer in alignment, supporting collaboration and effective planning.
“We appreciate the ongoing partnership of our Waukee CSD families as we continue to grow and adapt to better serve our students,” said Dr. Brad Buck, Waukee CSD Superintendent. “While we recognize that any change requires adjustment, we worked to find a solution that best met our goals while minimizing disruption to families and students.”
If you have questions about the new bell schedule, please reach out to your child’s school principal or the District Office.
