“Sending kids to school at 7 a.m. is the equivalent of sending an adult to work at 4 in the morning. It’s almost abusive to them.”—William C. Dement, Janine Hall, James K. Walsh. “Tiredness versus sleepiness: semantics or a target for public education?”

Across the nation, early morning start times for high school students have plagued their ability to excel in school. Research shows that teenagers require more sleep than they’re currently getting to properly function, and this can lead to sleep deprivation and adverse health problems when schools start too early in the morning. If schools are truly keeping their students’ well-being in mind, they should postpone high school start times. 

High schools must delay their start times to allow for better academic performance and healthier students. Without enough sleep, students struggle to focus in class and perform on assignments. Mandating a later start time would ensure that students can be better prepared to learn in the classroom. However, schools must account for the impact this might make on younger students, as delaying start times could lead to younger students getting home later in the day when it’s dark. 

One vantage point that proponents of later school time discern is improved academic achievement. 

According to the American Psychological Association, later school times are associated with better academic performance and numerous health benefits. It’s also strongly recommended that adolescents between the age of thirteen and eighteen should sleep eight to ten hours a day because their bodies are still developing and need more rest to support growth. This further bolsters the case for delaying start times. 

Moreover, there is greater productivity and attentiveness for students. 

According to the National Education Association, sleep deprivation among teenagers has been linked to higher levels of depression and reduced attention spans. If students begin school later in the morning, they’re more likely to get adequate sleep and improve performance. 

Opponents of delaying school start times argue that changing schedules could derail routines which already function smoothly. 

According to chsglobe.com, humans are creatures of habit. [They] cling to familiarity, and introducing change, like later school start times, could disrupt the balance of daily lives set over decades. Critics also note that these later start times may interfere with after-school activities such as clubs and sports. This could lead to less daylight availability for outdoor sports, which would complicate scheduling and participation of student athletes.

Another concern skeptics raise is that later start times may not actually increase the amount of sleep students will get. Students may just stay up later at night if they know they can wake up later, which would defeat the intended benefits. This could result in little improvement while still disrupting others’ schedules. 

A solution to addressing these concerns would be to gradually push back start times and provide guidance to students and families on how to maintain healthy sleeping habits. Schools could also consider adapting extracurricular activities so that students can still participate in them without worrying about being pressed for time. 

Overall, the benefits of delaying school start times outweigh the drawbacks. While deviating from routine may be difficult at first, ensuring that students are receiving adequate sleep is paramount for academic performance and well-being. Delaying school start times is a necessary step to enhance students’ school experience.