Implementing a later start time of no earlier than 8:30 a.m. for middle and high school students is crucial for their well-being. The growth and development of teenagers have a significant impact, making it essential for them to get enough rest before the next day at school. This change can enhance their academic performance, improve attendance rates, and foster a positive mindset towards learning.
A study conducted by the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis high schools found that changing the school start time from 7:15 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. led to a 5% increase in attendance and higher energy levels during the first two periods of the day for students. These positive outcomes suggest that adjustments should be made in order to support sleep-deprived students at our school. Currently, only 15% of students are getting enough sleep due to early school start times, leaving 85% of adolescents lacking sufficient rest. Allowing students to come to school later would prioritize their health and ensure they have adequate energy for their academic day.
Moreover, a significant portion of students at PVHS frequently arrive late to school, causing concern among teachers. To address this issue, PVHS has implemented a policy that mandates students receive a letter home after accumulating three tardies. Consequently, this policy not only adds stress for students in catching up on missed work but also increases the possibility of detention. Regrettably, the early start times of schools contribute to students opting to oversleep rather than ensuring they get sufficient sleep to arrive on time. It would be advantageous for schools to have motivated and well-prepared students. A study conducted in Michigan discovered improved attendance rates across all high schools in Minneapolis. If perfect attendance could be achieved by schools, their resources could be better utilized in managing the school instead of consistently dealing with tardiness issues.
In today’s educational landscape, maintaining excellent academic performance is crucial due to the rigorous college application process. Research shows that students often feel drowsy during the first two periods of the day because school starts early at 8:00 a.m. To achieve ultimate mainstream success, students must reach their maximum potential. However, this can be challenging as many sacrifice sleep for extensive studying. With the daily routine of attending school, participating in extracurricular activities, returning home, having dinner, and completing homework, there is little time left for relaxation. It is important for teenagers to have opportunities for social engagement with friends and enjoy activities like listening to music or watching television in order to create a stress-free environment. Allowing students an extra hour of sleep can significantly contribute to their overall relaxation and preparedness for the school day.
Despite the beliefs of many adults, students would not waste an additional hour of sleep. This is especially true in my high school where numerous students have jobs to cover expenses such as gas and insurance. Having an extra hour of sleep would give young adolescents more time to manage their responsibilities.
In addition, extending the school schedule by an hour would not cause significant disruptions, particularly for extracurricular activities. For instance, my school day currently ends at 2:53 p.m., allowing me enough time to participate in the theater club at 3:30 p.m. Instead of concluding classes at 2:53 p.m., they could simply end at 3:15 p.m.
Furthermore, daylight savings ensures that it remains bright until 6 p.m., which aligns well with sports schedules typically taking place during the fall and spring seasons. Even indoor sports facilities are well-lit. Thus, there is no conflict between sports and school schedules, making it unnecessary for school officials to insist on an earlier start time.
Despite early start times, it is crucial to consider starting school later as it can lead to improved grades, perfect attendance, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. Without this motivation, students may not reach their full potential in life.
