By Shaan Cheruvu
Sleep is a fundamental part of life. Without the right amount, our bodies don’t function properly. However, many high school students these days only get around seven hours of sleep, almost two hours less than the recommended amount. While many students have gotten accustomed to new ridiculous sleep schedules and late nights of homework, a myriad of studies demonstrate the negative effects of sleep deprivation and how it negatively affects their in-school performance. As a result, we need to start pushing high schools to start at later times in order to accommodate to students’ sleep schedules and provide them with the necessary rest they need in order to function as effectively and efficiently as possible during school hours.
On average, most high schools in the U.S. start at around 7:30 a.m. Since most students live anywhere from five to twenty minutes away from school, this can cause kids to have to wake up as early as 6:30 a.m. in order to have time to get ready in the morning. This can be seen as a main reason why many high school students don’t eat breakfast in the morning―they simply don’t have the time if they want to get a somewhat reasonable amount of sleep. Instances of this issue can be seen around the nation, and some states like California have even taken action toward this matter.
In the state of California, schools are not allowed to start until 8:30 a.m. or later, a rule instituted by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019. While these new rules are relatively new, early signs of this new law have trended toward a positive impact on the students. Although we are unable to see the effects of these new laws in California due to the recent implementation, other schools have already implemented these new start times many years ago.
According to the latest statistics in Seattle, students have shown significant improvement in test scores, demonstrating the positive impact of allowing adolescents more time for sleep, “And their academic performance, at least in the biology course, improved: Final grades were 4.5 percent higher for students who took the class after school start times were pushed back compared with students who took the class when school started earlier. In addition, the number of tardies and first-period absences at Franklin dropped.” This study demonstrates the potential benefits of delaying school start times, suggesting a positive correlation between increased sleep and academic success. As we observe the early signs of California’s recent policy change, it aligns with the experiences of schools like those in Seattle, where delayed start times resulted in tangible improvements.
Another primary reason for the success of later school start times is the alignment with teenagers’ natural circadian rhythms. Research consistently shows that adolescents experience a shift in their internal body clocks, causing them to feel more awake later in the evening and struggle with early mornings. Starting school at 8:30 a.m. or later allows students to synchronize their school schedules with their biological clocks, potentially leading to increased alertness and better concentration during morning classes. In addition to better alignment with biological factors, the positive effects of later start times extend to cognitive performance. Numerous studies have linked sleep deprivation to decreased academic achievement, impaired attention, and memory deficits, “When properly aligned, a circadian rhythm can promote consistent and restorative sleep. But when this circadian rhythm is thrown off, it can create significant sleep problems, including insomnia. Research is also revealing that circadian rhythms play an integral role in diverse aspects of physical and mental health.” By delaying school start times, students are provided with the opportunity to obtain the recommended amount of sleep, fostering improved cognitive abilities and academic success.
Moreover, the emotional well-being of high school students is significantly impacted by their sleep patterns. Adolescents experiencing sleep deprivation often exhibit mood swings, irritability, and increased stress levels. Late-night homework sessions and early morning wake-ups contribute to a heightened state of emotional distress, negatively affecting mental health. Delaying school start times offers a practical solution to alleviate these emotional stressors, promoting a healthier and more resilient student body in high schools.
Safety is another critical aspect impacted by early school start times. Sleep-deprived students face an increased risk of accidents and injuries, especially during their commute to school. The early morning rush, combined with fatigue, poses a danger to students navigating busy streets or driving to school, “early school start times for adolescents decrease their sleep, which increases their daytime sleepiness, which may, in turn, increase their odds of crashing their vehicles while driving.”
According to Phillips, the early morning rush significantly increases the likelihood of getting into an early morning crash due to the extreme sleepiness of students in the morning. This illustrates a potential safety hazard as students are risking their lives just to receive an opportunity for education. Students should not be forced to endure these rough conditions just to receive a basic education, and instead, schools should aim to push school start times to later in the day so students can receive a sufficient amount of sleep. This should decrease morning drowsiness, and therefore, increase alertness in the mornings.
Although sleep and safety concerns heavily argue that schools should start later in the morning, many schools that start at earlier times argue that early start times reflect the nature of adulthood and prepare students for the real world. According to a recent study, students starting schools earlier actually result in more of them attending further schooling like college and result in more students pursuing higher level jobs, “…kids who participate in early education programs have better academic success and are more likely to attend college.” Mazon argues a well-reasoned point, emphasizing the potential benefits of early education programs in terms of academic success and college attendance. It acknowledges the importance of instilling discipline and readiness for the demands of the real world.
Early start times may indeed align with workplace expectations, where punctuality and early morning commitments are often the norm. However, while this perspective underscores certain advantages of early school schedules, it is crucial to weigh these benefits against the well-documented drawbacks associated with sleep deprivation and compromised safety. Her argument lacks a fundamental foundation as it doesn’t acknowledge the safety and health concerns that come with earlier school start times, thus, removing the credibility of her claim. Her argument fails to consider the crucial important of a consistent circadian rhythm and the importance of arriving to school safely.
The current early school start times contribute to the widespread issue of sleep deprivation among high school students, adversely affecting their academic performance, emotional well-being, physical health, and overall safety. The implementation of later school start times, as exemplified by states like California and Washington, present a viable solution to these challenges. By aligning with adolescents’ natural circadian rhythms, supporting cognitive function, and promoting emotional and physical health, later school start times emerge as a necessary step toward fostering a more conducive learning environment and prioritizing the well-being of the next generation. However, in order to truly see the effects of these proposals, students must advocate for school boards to extend school start times, fulfilling the demands of the students for the valuable rest they necessitate on a daily basis.
