Pre-Kindergarten Readies for More Flexible, Streamlined School Day in 2026–2027
By Dylan Howlett
4-minute read
Mark your calendars: Starting in August 2026, the Durham Academy pre-kindergarten day will extend by 80 minutes to 2:20 p.m. The day will still contain, in multitudes, the same rigorous classroom learning, top-flight instruction, stimulating enrichments and happy-going play that have long been trademarks of the Preschool.
The later endtime will align with that of the kindergarten schedule — both for the academic day and Extended Day. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten Extended Day will run from 2:20–5:30 p.m., which will simplify and streamline pickup times for families with multiple students.
The change has been seven years in the making, and it comes with quantitatively emphatic support from families. The upshot? A school day that is no less memorable or joyful — and one that is more flexible and accommodating for students, educators and families alike.
“When many families choose DA for pre-k, they are thinking not just about the school day, but about the after-school experience as well,” said DA Preschool Director Carolyn Howes. “This change allows pre-k students to stay at school until 5:30 in Extended Day, and it allows us to plan a day for students who stay until 2:20 and for students who stay until 5:30.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the Preschool schedule change for 2026–2027.
Why did DA consider this change in the first place?
There were several persuasive reasons for lengthening the pre-k day, including:
- Changing demographics, which have brought more dual-working families to the DA community
- A rise in students who are coming to DA from full-day feeder programs
- Achieving consistency between pre-k and kindergarten schedules, all in an effort to design a day that balances learning, play and rest
- Designing a common afternoon experience for pre-k and kindergarten participants in After-School Enrichments and Extended Day
- Providing families with a later pickup time
How did we get here?
This process started in 2018 and picked up in earnest at the start of the 2024–2025 school year.
🗓️ Spring 2018: Parent survey data, and a shift in family needs, compel the Leadership Team to discuss in more detail the length of the pre-k day.
🗓️ Fall 2024: Preschool collects feedback from faculty regarding the length of the pre-k day.
🗓️ March 2025: Preschool parents and caregivers complete a survey regarding their preferences for the length of the pre-k day.
🗓️ Summer 2025: DA officially decides to extend the pre-k day to 2:20 p.m., beginning August 2026.
🗓️ August 2025: The Preschool Scheduling Committee forms to brainstorm, reimagine and design the pre-k academic schedule for 2026–2027.
🗓️ Fall 2025: The schedule change is announced at the Durham Academy Family Association’s October meeting and at Preschool/Lower School Information Sessions for prospective families.
What did the Preschool parent/caregiver survey from March 2025 reveal?
The survey — with a two-week completion period — garnered a 93% response rate and 85% completion rate among current pre-k and kindergarten households.
Among pre-kindergarten respondents:
- 91% said they would have “likely” or “very likely” still enrolled their child if the pre-k day ended at 2:20 p.m.
- 83% said they were coming from feeder programs that are longer than DA’s current pre-k schedule.
- 66% said the current 1 p.m. endtime — and 5 p.m. endtime for Pre-K Extended Day — “does not work well” or “is not ideal” for their family.
- 48% said a 1 p.m. endtime was “very challenging” or “extremely challenging” when deciding to enroll (only 12% said it was “not at all challenging”).
Among kindergarten respondents whose children did not attend DA for pre-k:
- 61% said they would have “likely” or “very likely” enrolled in DA pre-k if it had ended at 2:20 p.m.
- 44% said the 1 p.m. endtime was “extremely important” or “very important” in their decision to not enroll in DA pre-k.
Responses from March 2025 Anonymous Preschool Parent/Caregiver Survey
“It would be enormously helpful — and would likely make DA more accessible to families with a variety of jobs and incomes — if the pickup time was extended until at least 5:30 p.m.”
“Most other pre-k programs end later — around 3 p.m. — and I think that would work better for our family. With an older child and a later endtime, we do Extended Day to ease pickup schedules — and our child seems to do fine with the longer day.”
“We are considering applying to pre-k for our youngest child, and a 2:20 endtime would significantly help our travel arrangements since we do not work or live near campus.”
“I think my 4 year old is ready for a full school day!”
You mentioned a Pre-K Scheduling Committee. Who’s on it?
The committee, which has met monthly since August, features representation from every corner — leadership, counseling, classroom and enrichments — of DA Preschool.
Carolyn Howes, Preschool Director
Elizabeth McLeod, Preschool Art and Cooking Teacher
Dr. Theresa Shebalin, Preschool Science Teacher
Elizabeth Steck ’13, Kindergarten Teacher (Koalas Classroom)
Brittanie Tyson, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Sunshines Classroom)
Dr. Adrienne Villagomez, Preschool Counselor
“There’s only so much time in the day because our pre-kindergarteners are always off somewhere. This longer day really opens up the time to do the same things, but also extend here and there to just slow it down. That’s my biggest hope for kids.”
Dr. Adrienne Villagomez
Preschool Counselor
“I’m enjoying being part of a committee of Preschool faculty looking at the pre-k schedule for next year. We are brainstorming opportunities and possibilities. There is a positive energy around rethinking the day for our pre-k students.”
Carolyn Howes
Preschool Director
“I think having more time in the day would give us the ability to get some more one-on-one work with the kids, or more small group work. We’ve even talked about taking advantage of the rest time — if it’s not used for teacher planning — and using it instead for pulling kids who might need extra help.”
Brittanie Tyson
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Sunshines Classroom)
That’s a huge undertaking for the committee. Are they shouldering this burden alone?
Nope: The committee hopes to hire an outside consultant who specializes in early childhood education to ensure the flow of the pre-k day remains developmentally appropriate and distinctly DA.
What are the committee’s most valued considerations for a new schedule?
- Incorporating dedicated rest time for students
- Expanding opportunities for student choice and unstructured play
- Allotting additional time to enrichment classes
I’m a prospective DA pre-k family, and this sounds fantastic. Where do I apply?
Begin your admission application here!