Why high schools should not start later?

Early school start times do not just affect mental ability and mood. They also have an impact on physical health. Sleep deprivation increases the risk for diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Researchers believe that a lack of sleep alters hormone levels and puts additional stress on the body.

At what time does teenage brain start working?

Teenager’s circadian rhythms – the cycle of sleep and wakefulness – typically begin two hours after adults. Neuroscientists say they are biologically predisposed to go to sleep around midnight and not feel fully awake and engaged until between 9am and 10am.

What are some negative consequences to high schools opening early in the morning?

Disrupting these circadian rhythms with early school start times can cause chronic sleep deprivation, which leads to increased risk for obesity, depression, poor academic performance, substance abuse and driving accidents.

Should schools start late?

Best School Start Times Both the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that both middle and high schools begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m.5 Both organizations want to ensure students get adequate sleep so that they are alert and prepared to learn at school.

Why schools should start at 10am?

Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during their natural sleep/wake cycles. Less caffeine: Teens may be less likely to depend on caffeine to stay awake during the day. Better grades: Adequate sleep could help teens be more alert during the school day, which could boost their academic performance.

What time do high schools start in the US?

High schools in the U.S. generally start at 8 a.m. if not earlier. Considering commute and morning preparations, students are rising long before dawn to spend six to eight hours of dealing with academic and other school activities.

Should school start times be shifted from late to early?

With this in mind, the authors recommend shifting the burden of defense from late start times to early start times. States and regions, for example, could require districts to submit evidence-based justifications of early start times on an annual basis, while districts with later start times wouldn’t have this requirement.

Why do high schools have staggered start times?

Administrators deploy staggered school start times to allocate limited resources and to operate efficiently within their budgets. Adjusting bell times for high school students means that buses can’t be rotated for different pick-up schedules.

Are parents afraid of early school start times?

Ziporyn of Start Schools Later noted that she has seen parents show just as much apprehension about earlier school start times as they do about later ones, which she suggested means it’s mostly change that they’re afraid of. With this in mind, the authors recommend shifting the burden of defense from late start times to early start times.