Here are 10 reasons why school should start later:
- Helps students focus better by aligning with their natural sleep-wake cycles, improving attention and reducing misbehavior due to fatigue.
- Caters to teenagers' natural biological tendency to stay up late and sleep in, meeting their need for 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep.
- Reduces the risk of car accidents by allowing students to be more awake when commuting to school.
- Decreases risky behaviors linked to sleep deprivation in teens.
- Improves information retention and academic performance as students are more alert in class.
- Boosts student happiness and mood by syncing school hours with their natural circadian rhythms.
- Improves attendance since students are less likely to skip early classes to catch up on sleep.
- Reduces stress as students feel less rushed and better able to handle school demands.
- Increases the likelihood that students will eat a healthy breakfast, supporting physical and mental health.
- Supports overall student needs for well-being, mental health, and academic success by prioritizing adequate sleep.
These benefits are backed by research showing improved grades, better mental health, lower tardiness, and fewer health issues when schools start later in the morning.