GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Many students look forward to Wednesdays because they are released from school early, but changes are coming in Alachua County.

The 2024-25 school year will see a change in the early release schedule for Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS). Instead of every Wednesday, early release will only occur on the third Wednesday of each month. However, in March 2025, the early release will be on the fourth Wednesday, March 26, to avoid conflicting with Spring Break.

This adjustment will impact elementary schools district-wide, as well as students at High Springs Community School, A. Quinn Jones School, Sidney Lanier School, and Duval Early Learning Academy. Previously, affected schools had early release every Wednesday for teacher planning and meetings.

“This change will mean a significant increase in direct instructional time for students,” said Jackie Johnson, public information officer for ACPS. “They’ll gain about six days’ worth of instructional time over the school year with the once-a-month early-release Wednesdays.”

She also says that teachers will gain back some planning time during the day on what will now be regular Wednesdays, but it will happen while their students are in special classes like art, music, and physical education with other teachers.

Superintendent Shane Andrew expressed gratitude to the Alachua County Education Association (ACEA) for its cooperation in implementing this change saying, “We appreciate ACEA’s willingness to work with us on this change.  It will give our students much more direct instructional time, which is critical to raising their academic achievement.”

For detailed start and dismissal times, including early release Wednesdays, go to the school district’s website. Families have been informed of the adjustment via email, phone calls, and text messages for those who opted in to the district’s notification system.