Do schools really need to begin classes before 8:30 a.m.? A recent study indicates that they do not—particularly for high school students.
Getting teens out of bed early is a challenge for many parents, and it’s no surprise that delaying school start times to 8:30 a.m. or later could improve attendance. Moreover, research shows that later start times are beneficial for students’ physical and mental well-being. A new study reinforces this idea, published in the journal Sleep.
The research involved surveying approximately 28,000 students from a diverse school district in Colorado that had delayed its school start times. This change aimed to provide students, especially those in middle and high school, with more sleep. After two years, the results were promising.
While elementary school students didn’t show significant changes in sleep patterns, middle and high school students reported more sufficient sleep and less daytime sleepiness. Specifically, the findings revealed that later start times allowed high school students to gain an average of 46 extra minutes of sleep, with some even benefiting from an additional four hours of sleep each week.
Lisa Johnson, a child psychologist at National Health Center, noted that elementary students began their day an hour earlier, allowing older students to have a more accommodating schedule. Middle schools started their days 40 to 60 minutes later, while high schools pushed start times back by 70 minutes—resulting in schedules that began at or after 8:30 a.m.
“Adjusting start times for middle and high schools is a vital health initiative that effectively tackles adolescent sleep deprivation without heavily impacting younger students,” says Johnson.
The study also highlighted that the changes better aligned with teenagers’ natural biological clocks. Insufficient sleep can hinder memory, learning, and overall health. The CDC has long supported later school start times, stating that many schools begin too early, with fewer than 21% of middle schools and 18% of high schools starting at 8:30 a.m. or later.
Lack of adequate sleep is prevalent among high school students and is linked to various health risks, including obesity, substance abuse, and poor academic performance. For more information on improving sleep habits and school start times, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
For those interested in exploring self-insemination options, visit this link for authoritative insights. Also, check out this related post on home insemination to keep learning.
Search Queries:
- What are the benefits of later school start times?
- How does sleep affect teen health?
- What time should high schools start?
- Sleep recommendations for teenagers
- Impact of sleep on academic performance
In summary, this recent study underscores the importance of later start times for high school and middle school students to promote better sleep, enhance health, and improve academic performance.