The 2024-25 academic year will begin August 12 — two weeks earlier than usual — across the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school district.

Earlier this year, Superintendent Tricia McManus addressed concerns about the “Early Start” calendar and offered some insight into the motivations behind the change.

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“The board made that decision really in the best interest of our students,” she said. “We’ve had feedback for years from parents, from students, from our community college … about shifting our calendar to start earlier.”

Among the benefits McManus said the new schedule would provide is the ability for students “to end the semester before winter break and then start a new semester after winter break.”

She noted that there had been some feedback from parents across the district, however, particularly among families with “preplanned, unavoidable conflicts” that would prevent students from attending during part or all of the first two weeks of the school year. 

Parents were given a window of time in March during which they could fill out paperwork to excuse such absences, but McManus noted that it is “critical” for students to attend class if at all possible during those days.

“We know that is the time that we are honestly setting the tone and setting the groundwork for a successful school year,” she said. 

Open house events take place on Wednesday for middle and high schools and Thursday for elementary schools. 

Frequently asked questions about the early start are answered on a dedicated page of the district’s website. 

While you’re here, check out the first episode of our new podcast for a wide-ranging conversation with Kernersville Parks and Recreation’s Cady Ray: