Section 51.61. Instructional school day and school year

(a) The minimum length of an instructional school day for certain grade levels shall be as follows:

(1) Nursery schools—2 hours.

(2) Kindergarten—2 1/2 hours.

(3) Grades one through eight—5 hours.

(4) Grades 9 through 12—5 1/2 hours.

(b) In grades K through 12, schools shall be in session a minimum of 180 days of instruction or the equivalent clock hour requirement, with prior approval of the Board. Upon request, the Board may, when a meritorious educational program warrants, approve a school year containing a minimum of 990 secondary or 900 elementary and 450 kindergarten hours of instruction as the equivalent of 180 school days.

(c) Instruction time for pupils shall be the time during the school day which is devoted to instruction and activities provided as an integral part of the school program under the direction of certified school employes. A school shall identify the required starting and ending time of a school day for students and certified staff.

(d) [Reserved].

The provisions of this § 51.61 adopted June 11, 1968, effective June 26, 1969; amended October 22, 1976, effective October 23, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 2665; amended August 19, 1988, effective August 20, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 3687. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (30542) to (30543).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 51.61 amended under the Private Academic Schools Act (24 P. S. § § 6701—6721).

Cross References

This section cited in 22 Pa. Code § 61.1 (relating to scope); and 22 Pa. Code § 63.1 (relating to scope).