Marina Skuban and Amy Tao
Staff Writers
Recently, there has been much discussion about school start times and students not getting enough sleep, especially for middle school and high school. New research shows that starting school later is beneficial for students’ health, safety, and school performance.
Middle and high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 am, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the leading professional society dedicated to the promotion of sleep health. However, 93% of high schools in the U.S start before 8:30, including our own. As children mature, they experience a delayed circadian rhythm, causing later sleep onset and later morning awakening. Most teenagers cannot fall asleep before 11:00 pm. Adolescents need 8-10 hours of sleep every night for optimal well-being, so a teenager who falls asleep at that time should sleep until 7:00 am, at the least. Schools should recognize these biological shifts and start high schools and middle schools later while starting elementary schools earlier.
70% of students do not get adequate sleep, resulting in many consequences. Many teenagers do not get enough sleep due to late nights dedicated to school work and early mornings to get to class on time. Students who don’t get enough sleep are at risk of being overweight, suffering depression, and performing poorly in school. Not getting enough sleep can also put you at risk for other medical issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and permanent cognitive issues. Young drivers also have a higher accident risk when sleep deprived, so later start times is crucial for safety.
In order for students to perform to their best ability, they need a good night’s sleep. In order for this to happen, school start times have to change.
