Many educators and parents believe that middle and high schools should start later in the morning. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that these schools begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Research strongly supports this recommendation, and schools that have made the change report significant improvements in student outcomes.
Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that teenagers need eight to ten hours of sleep per night for optimal health. However, biological changes during adolescence cause teens' internal clocks to shift, making it difficult for them to fall asleep before 11 p.m. When schools start at 7:30 a.m. or earlier, most students cannot get adequate rest.
Schools that have shifted to later start times have seen measurable benefits. In Seattle, when start times moved from 7:50 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., students gained an average of 34 minutes of additional sleep per night. Grades improved, and attendance rates increased by 6 percent. Teachers reported that students were more alert and participated more actively in class discussions.
Critics argue that later start times would interfere with after-school activities and parents' work schedules. While these are valid concerns, the health and academic benefits for students should take priority. Communities can find creative solutions to scheduling challenges.