Should Schools Start Later?

Many schools start fairly early in the morning, most around 8:00 a.m. However, the recommended start time for schools, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is actually 8:30. As mentioned above, most schools start earlier, especially middle and high schools. Schools should start later because it leads to better academic performance and has health benefits.

First, schools should start later because it leads to better academic performance. Studies show that when school starts later, students have higher GPAs, better attendance, and higher test scores. A 2019 study in Seattle showed that delaying school start times by about an hour led to a ~4.5 percent increase in grades. The study also reported students being more focused in class. Focus allows students to pay more attention in classes, allowing them to learn more and perform better in school. The evidence that students earn higher grades and test scores when school begins later proves that later start times are beneficial for students.

Second, schools should start later because there are health benefits. Students report getting around 30-60 minutes of extra sleep when school start times are delayed. More sleep reduces anxiety, depression, and the risk of obesity. Sleep deprivation is a public health issue, as listed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleep deprivation is shown to lead to car accidents, poor academic performance, and mood disorders. Studies show a strong connection between short sleep duration and poor mental health.

Some may argue that later start times lead to later end times, interfering with sports or part-time jobs. They say that school shouldn’t interfere with a student’s extracurriculars. However, they fail to include the fact that many schools have already started adjusting schedules, all without creating time conflicts with student extracurriculars. Another fact is that students have better performance in after-school activities or extracurriculars when well-rested.

Delaying start times in school doesn’t just allow students to get more rest; it also leads to better performance both in and out of school and helps prevent health problems that sleep deprivation leads to. All studies point towards that schools should have later start times. Aligning school schedules with student well-being is an important aspect for school boards. As school districts continue to edit and evaluate schedules, later start times should not be viewed as a luxury but as a vital investment for the well-being of students.