No teenager should be expected to solve algebra problems at 7:43 a.m. when their brain is still half asleep. If kids are yawning before the day even begins, maybe the problem isn’t us, maybe it’s the school start time.
Teenagers’ bodies work differently than adults. Most teenagers naturally fall asleep later at night and wake up later in the morning. Early school start times make it difficult to get enough rest, which can affect focus, memory, and mood, according to the American Psychological Association.
One coping mechanism teens have found to deal with this sleep deprivation has caused the rise in energy drink consumption. Teens often rely on energy drinks to stay awake, but these beverages can be unhealthy, containing extremely high levels of caffeine and sugar. The American Psychological Association said the lack of sleep is one of the main reasons students turn to energy drinks to survive the school day.
Expecting teens to think clearly at 7:43 a.m. is like expecting a phone to work on 1% battery. Many students do not get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep each night, leaving them tired and struggling in classes. Research from the APA shows that later start times have real benefits. Schools that delayed the first bell by 30-60 minutes reported that students slept more, were less tired and performed better academically. Students were more alert, less moody and attendance improved. Getting enough sleep helps students learn, stay healthy and reduce unhealthy habits like drinking energy drinks.
But if later school start times help so much, why don’t schools just change them? One major reason is staggered bus schedules. The district uses the same buses for elementary, middle and high school students, so each level has to start at a different time. High school often ends up with one of the earliest starts.
Many parents prefer elementary schools to start earlier so they don’t need to send younger kids to morning care programs like Adventure Club. If elementary schools started earlier and high schools started later, younger kids could go to Adventure Club after school instead of both in the morning and the afternoon. This would help many families financially, and it would allow teenagers to get the sleep their brains need to function, according to research by Saint Louis University.
Switching school start times would benefit everyone. Teenagers would get more sleep, unhealthy habits like drinking energy drinks would go down and students would be more awake and willing to learn. Teachers would see better focus and better attitudes in class, and attendance can improve. Parents would also have fewer childcare problems in the morning.
Liberty High School switched their schedule, so high school starts last in the district at 8:10 a.m., and students have more rest. If Staley moved its start time closer to 8:10, it could make a huge difference in students’ health, safety and success.
