The Ann Arbor Public Schools Bell Schedule for 2025-2026 has had a few minor changes from last year.
2025-2026 AAPS Start & End Times
For many years, there were efforts and requests for high school students to start later. This would fit better with the natural sleep schedule of most teens. During the virtual year, high school started later than other grades. While they have returned to the earliest start time, it is later than previous non-pandemic years.
- Elementary (K-5 schools)
- Start Time: 8:50a (previously 8:45a)
- End Time: 3:53 p (previously 3:48p)
- Middle School
- Start Time: 8:15a
- End Time: 3:03p
- K-8 Schools
- Start Time: 8:15a
- End Time: 3:18p
- Comprehensive High Schools (Huron, Pioneer, Skyline)
- Start Time: 8:00a
- End Time: 2:51p
- Community High School
- Start Time: 8:00a
- End Time: 2:57-3:50p based on student schedule
- Pathways High School
- Start Time: 8:00a
- End Time: 2:56p
Observations
I am surprised that only Community High School lists end times varying based on student schedule. In the past, I know at least Pioneer offered the option of starting at 2nd period and going later. But, this was not reflected on the bell schedule the last few years.
AAPS Early Release Day Schedule for 2025-2026
The Early Release times do not change from 2024-2025. However, there are far less on the calendar for 2025-2026.
- Elementary (K-5) – 1p
- K-8 Schools – 12:30p
- Middle Schools – 12:15p
- High School – 12p
The last day of school has a special shorter day which is not listed this year. The 2024-2025 hours are listed below.:
- Elementary (K-5) – 11:30a
- K-8 Schools – 10:45a
- Middle Schools – 10:50a
- High School – 9:40a (make-up exams held after, transportation runs at 9:40a)
High School exams typically release before lunch and your school will provide the schedule a few weeks in advance. Similarly the late arrivals for middle and high school testing days will be provided by your child’s school in advance of the testing.
Ann Arbor Public Schools High School Exam Schedules
High school exams are held at the end of every semester (Community, Huron, Pioneer) or trimester (Pathways & Skyline).
Semester exams are held over 4 days, trimester exams over 3 days. There are 2 exams the first 3 days (2 for trimesters). The last day of each exam cycle has a single exam and ends early with the second time slot available for makeup exams.
Exam day schedule:
- Start Time
- Last Day of Exam End Time: 9:40a
- Other Exam Day End Times: 11:50a
If your child does not have an exam during a particular exam period, they can arrive late or leave early. My daughter has also had exams not take the full scheduled time. Originally, students were allowed to leave early if they had their own transportation, but by her senior year they decided students leaving mid-exam period was too disruptive and they had to stay for the whole time.
From 9:40a-11:50a on the last exam day, students may make up exams that they missed. However, bus transportation is only provided after the end of the first exam. If your child needs to stay, you will need to provide transportation.
AAPS High School Testing Day Schedules
On days that the SAT, PSAT, WorkKeys and MStep testing are offered, students not testing will start late. As a high school parent, this has been communicated through the principal in the week or two prior to testing.
Transportation typically still runs for the 8a start time. Non-testing students can arrive late if they provide their own transportation.
High School AP Exams
High School AP Exam dates and times are set by the College Board. They run May 4-8 and 11-15. This may include testing on the May 5 election day off from school. The exam schedule can be found on the College Board website.
In recent years AAPS held AP testing at Eastern Michigan University Student Center. No transportation is provided. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the exam.
Exam finishing times vary by test length. Students cannot take a phone with them. When my daughter took AP US History as a sophomore, they were released an hour later than initially planned and many parents were waiting to pickup their students. She drove herself for her junior and senior year exams.
Be sure to report your child absent for each exam day. Last year I tried to do it once for all 3 exam days, but I needed to call or email each day.
More Back to School Information
Ann Arbor Back to School Guide
Ann Arbor Back to School Events
Ann Arbor School Supplies
2026-2027 Ann Arbor School Calendar: Now Official
2025-2026 Ann Arbor School Calendar: Now Official
