PENDER COUNTY — As part of the shift to a three-tier bell schedule beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Pender County Schools is introducing before-school care options at its Topsail and Surf City campuses.
Both campuses will offer care for students who have parents that need to drop them off before 8:10 a.m. Both programs cost $22 per week and per student and registration will open on July 28.
The programs are being launched in conjunction with Pender County Schools’ three-tiered bell schedule beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The bell schedules are broken down between elementary, middle and high schools.
For high schools, bus drop-off begins at 6:25 a.m., school starts at 7:10 a.m. and dismissal is at 2:05 p.m. Early-release would be at 11:10 a.m.
Elementary schools would have the next latest start time. Bus drop-off is 7:10 a.m., start time is 7:55 a.m. and dismissal is at 2:50 p.m. Early-release is at 11:55 a.m.
For middle schools, bus drop-off begins at 8:20 a.m., start-time is at 8:40 a.m., and dismissal is at 3:35 p.m. Early-release is at 12:40 p.m.
Details on each campus’ before-school care are below:
Topsail Campus Before-School Care
Time: 7:10 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.
If dropping off an elementary and middle school student: Drop both students off following the elementary school drop-off procedure. Your middle schooler will walk to the middle school with assistance from school staff.
If dropping off a high schooler and a younger student (Topsail Middle or Topsail Annandale Elementary): Drop your high school student off first, then proceed to your next school (if you have both an elementary and middle, drop both at the elementary school).
For middle school students, before care drop-off ends at 7:55 a.m., and students will transition to regular school-day routines (breakfast, holding areas, etc.) at 8:10 a.m.
Surf City Campus Before-School Care
Time: 7:25 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.
Drop-Off Information:
If dropping off an elementary and middle school student: Use the elementary drop-off line. Middle school students will enter through the middle school library.
For middle school students, before care drop-off ends at 7:55 a.m., and students will begin transitioning to normal school procedures at 8:10 a.m.
Registration Details
Both campuses will use an online registration system to manage enrollment and payment. Registration opens July 28, and PCS says will make every effort to accommodate as many families as possible who may be affected by the schedule change. Detailed instructions for registration will be shared on the district and school websites soon.
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