Should school start later? Many people, especially high school students, believe that they would perform better if they had more time to sleep in. For years, students and parents have debated the idea of a later start time for 8th—to 12th-grade students. I think we should have more time in the mornings before school begins. Personally, getting up and ready on delay days makes me feel much more awake and relaxed than getting to class by 7 in the morning.
The Science Behind Later Start Times
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has long recommended that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 AM. However, many schools across the U.S., like Woodmore, still begin as early as 7 AM. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early start times contribute to chronic sleep deprivation in adolescents, who need between 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night but often get much less. A landmark study conducted by the University of Minnesota examined over 9,000 students in eight school districts that delayed their start times. The findings were compelling: students who started school later showed improved attendance, higher academic performance, and even a reduction in car accidents involving teenage drivers.
Academic and Health Benefits
Research from the RAND Corporation suggests that a nationwide shift to later school start times could add billions of dollars to the U.S. economy due to increased student productivity and reduced health costs. Studies show that when students get adequate sleep, they experience improved memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, a study published in the journal Sleep Health found that students in schools with later start times reported lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Sleep deprivation is a known risk factor for mental health issues, making later start times a potential solution to the growing crisis of adolescent mental health.
Challenges to Implementation
Despite the overwhelming benefits, there are challenges to consider. Transportation schedules, extracurricular activities, and parental work routines all influence school start times. Some school districts that have implemented later start times have reported difficulties in coordinating bus routes and adjusting athletic programs. Students without a driver’s license may need to find alternative transportation if they do not take the bus. Additionally, students with jobs may also face scheduling challenges.
The Path Forward
As the evidence of benefits continues to accumulate, more schools and school districts are considering later start times to prioritize student health and academic success. Policymakers, educators, and parents must work together to address logistical hurdles and advocate for schedules that align with adolescent biology. While change may not occur overnight, the advantages of later start times are too significant to ignore. Some may argue that instead of pushing for later start times, we should simply go to bed earlier, but that may not always be a feasible solution.
