Like many households across the nation, mornings in my family can be rather hectic. Between packing lunches and locating missing shoes, it’s a race against time, and everyone seems to be in a less-than-cheerful mood. Luckily, our school day doesn’t kick off until 9 a.m., which spares us from early morning chaos typical of many families. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many children. For instance, my niece’s elementary school starts at 7:45 a.m., and countless middle and high schools around the country begin their days before 8 a.m. This means that students often leave home before 7 a.m., rising before the sun—a schedule that is simply too early, especially for teenagers.
The issue of early school start times has been a concern for parents and experts alike for years. Sleep specialists and health professionals have long recognized the negative impact of forcing teens to wake before dawn. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teenagers require between 8 and 10 hours of sleep each night. However, their internal biological clocks operate differently, making it challenging for them to fall asleep earlier. As a result, tweens and teens often find themselves in a continuous cycle of sleep deprivation.
This ongoing fatigue has serious implications—not only for their health but also for their academic performance. Studies have shown that shifting school start times to later in the morning can lead to improved attendance, higher test scores, and better overall grades. Additionally, schools that have implemented later start times report reductions in tardiness, substance abuse, and symptoms of depression. Some districts have even noted a significant drop in teen traffic accidents.
Health professionals have been advocating for later start times for years. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics called on schools to adopt later schedules. The following year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoed this sentiment, urging policymakers to adjust school start times for middle and high school students to enhance their sleep quality and support their educational development. The evidence supporting later start times continues to mount, with organizations like the American Medical Association now recommending changes as well.
Notably, a recent conference organized by the non-profit Start School Later brought together sleep experts, educators, and health professionals who all share a common goal: to promote the importance of sleep for adolescents. Their discussions underscored the need for systemic changes at the district and state levels.
While change is often met with resistance, it is essential to recognize that just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best approach. Thankfully, some districts are beginning to acknowledge the adverse effects of early start times. For example, my local school district in suburban Chicago recently approved a pilot program to shift the school day to 8:15 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., moving from an earlier schedule of 7:30 to 2:45. To facilitate this change, the district will also shorten class periods slightly.
Transforming school schedules may be challenging, but it is certainly achievable. If these adjustments can positively impact our children’s health and education, why wouldn’t we pursue them? Kudos to my local district for prioritizing the well-being of our youth and taking action to change start times. As more parents, educators, and health advocates come together to push for these changes, we can hope for a future where our schools prioritize the sleep needs of teens.
And wouldn’t it be nice if our workplaces could do the same?
For additional insights on how to support health and well-being, check out this informative resource on pregnancy and home insemination. You can also explore fertility-boosting options for men in our other blog post.
In summary, the movement towards later school start times is gaining momentum, supported by a wealth of research highlighting its benefits for children’s health and education. More districts should follow suit and prioritize sleep for adolescents.