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 the Topsail and Surf City campuses. These programs are designed to support families impacted by the new schedule and ensure students are safe, supervised, and ready to learn each day.
What’s Changing?
Starting in August 2025, PCS will implement a three-tier bell schedule to help improve transportation efficiency, reduce bus delays, and balance instructional time across schools. Here are the new school hours by level:
Bell Schedule (Beginning 2025-26)
High School
Bus Drop-Off: Begins at 6:25 AM
Start Time: 7:10 AM
Dismissal: 2:05 PM
Early Release: 11:10 AM
Elementary School
Bus Drop-Off: Begins at 7:10 AM
Start Time: 7:55 AM
Dismissal: 2:50 PM
Early Release: 11:55 AM
Middle School
Bus Drop-Off: Begins at 8:20 AM
Start Time: 8:40 AM
Dismissal: 3:35 PM
Early Release: 12:40 PM
For families with students at different school levels or those needing earlier drop-off options, PCS is offering before-school care for students at both the Topsail and Surf City campuses.
Topsail Campus Before-School Care
Cost: $22 per week per student
Time: 7:10 AM – 8:10 AM
Drop-Off Information:
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 AM, and students will transition to regular school-day routines (breakfast, holding areas, etc.) at 8:10 AM.
Surf City Campus Before-School Care
Cost: $22 per week per student
Time: 7:25 AM – 8:10 AM
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 AM, and students will begin transitioning to normal school procedures at 8:10 AM.
Registration Details
Both campuses will use an online registration system to manage enrollment and payment. Registration opens July 28, and PCS 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.
