Pittsfield Releases School Start/End Times for Fall
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools have released start and end times for the 2026-2027 academic year with the middle school restructuring in place.
Students attending Pittsfield or Taconic high schools will report to class at 7:10 a.m., leaving at 2 p.m., and elementary students will report at 8:50 a.m. and leave at 3:30 p.m. Middle schoolers are in the middle, arriving at 7:55 a.m. and leaving at 2:45 p.m.
Start and end times needed some adjustments to make the bus schedule work with the new middle school model. Late last year, the former School Committee voted to restructure Pittsfield's middle level in the fall, with Grades 5 and 6 attending Herberg Middle School and Grades 7 and 8 attending Reid Middle School.
"The restructuring of the middle school model was designed to provide all middle school students with equitable access to consistent academic programming, expanded enrichment opportunities, and strong social-emotional supports," a FAQ sheet released by the district reads.
"By creating a dedicated Grade 5/6 campus and Grade 7/8 campus, Pittsfield Public Schools is able to better align programming with students’ developmental needs while expanding opportunities that were not consistently available across all middle school settings."
For elementary schools, students will report to school at 8:50 a.m., the instructional day begins at 9 a.m., and they will leave at 3:30 p.m. Staff instructional days begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at 3:40 p.m. Elementary breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m., and half days will end at 11:50 a.m.
Middle school students will report to school at 7:55 a.m., classes beginning at 8:05 a.m., and school will end at 2:45 p.m; 11:05 a.m. on half days. Staff will report to school at 7:30 a.m. and leave at 2:55 p.m. Breakfast for middle schoolers will begin at 7:40 a.m.
High school students will report at 7:10 a.m., classes beginning at 7:20 a.m., and the instructional day ends at 2 p.m.; 10:20 a.m. on half days. Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. Staff at the high school level report at 7:05 a.m. and leave at 2:29 p.m.
Grade 5 will have eight teams of two teachers, and students will also have two electives daily. A typical 6th-grade schedule will include ELA, targeted ELA, math, science, social studies, and two electives.
There is no dedicated recess, but lunch is increased from 30 to 40 minutes, and students can go outside when they finish eating.
The district has released frequently asked questions sheets for Herberg and Reid during the transition.
The Grade 7/8 campus aims to create a school community where students explore rigorous and engaging academics, explore their interests through expanded electives, build connections with peers and staff, prepare for high school and future career opportunities, and develop leadership skills and a strong sense of belonging.
Students will be organized into three teams: red, blue, and purple, and will have seven approximately 50-minute periods per day. ?
"The goal is to provide students with increased voice and choice in their learning. A student interest survey will be shared to gather information about students’ preferences. Students will have the opportunity to identify areas they are interested in exploring," Reid’s FAQ sheet reads.
"Due to scheduling needs during the transition year, every student may not receive every first-choice elective. However, the goal is to provide students with meaningful opportunities while continuing to increase student choice in future years."
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