January 29, 2025 - The school day at School District U-46’s 38 elementary schools will be extended by 20 minutes starting with the 2025-26 school year, allowing the District to offer increased high-quality instruction and improve student learning. 

The schedule shift, in which elementary schools will start 10 minutes earlier and end 10 minutes later than they do currently, was presented to the Board of Education on Monday. The extension of the school day was included in the four-year contract reached with the members of the Elgin Teachers Association (ETA) and ratified in February 2024. 

By extending the school day, all elementary students in grades kindergarten through 6th will have increased access to special classes that include PE, art, music, health, digital literacy, and science. 

“This extension will result in an additional 60 hours of instruction each school year for our elementary students and provide increased access to engaging opportunities,” said Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Lela Majstorovic. 

Half of U-46’s 38 elementary schools currently have classes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting on Aug. 11, 2025, those schools will instead be open from 7:50 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. The other half currently operate from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; their time will be shifted to 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. 

The District’s bus schedules will be adjusted to accommodate the shift. Other questions are addressed in a list of FAQs located here. 

U-46 families have been notified of the change, and they will receive more information and reminders as the start of the 2025-26 school year nears.