There has been a lot of research and debates on if schools should start later and have shorter school days. However, the question still remains as to whether it’s worth changing school systems across the U.S. based on this information.  

According to scienceandliteracy.org, “Adequate sleep is essential for adolescence, who are at a pivotal stage of development and learning.” This means that it is important for teens to get enough sleep, which is said to be around eight-nine hours, for their health, development and learning abilities.  

Unfortunately, with earlier school start times, sometimes as early as 7:00 a.m., many students are not getting enough sleep. Between homework, sports and other responsibilities, it can be hard for teens to go to bed early enough to get the rest they need. As a result, many students are showing up to school tired, unfocused and stressed.  

Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics both support the idea of later school start times. They argue that shifting the start of the school day to 8:30 a.m. or later can help reduce depression and anxiety, improve attendance and grades and even decrease car accidents involving teen drivers. These are major benefits that affect students’ academic performance as well as their overall safety and well-being.  

Some may argue that starting school later could disrupt parents’ work schedules or reduce time for after-school activities. While these concerns do have a good point, they don’t outweigh the benefits of improving students’ mental and physical health.  

Overall, the research clearly supports the idea that schools should start later to better match the sleep needs of teenagers. Making this change may require adjustments, but the long-term benefits for students’ health, learning and safety makes it a smart and necessary step for schools across the country.