Buzz
A scientifically-backed proposal that will delight many students: physicians argue for later school start times to accommodate more sleep.
A recent publication in Pediatrics by the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that chronic sleep deprivation has become widespread among children. Their fatigue is so severe that it mirrors the symptoms of diagnosed sleep disorders. Shockingly, over 85% of high school students in the U.S. get fewer than the recommended 8.5 hours of sleep daily. This persistent drowsiness often results in students dozing off during class. A National Sleep Foundation survey found that nearly 30% of students admit to falling asleep in school weekly. For older students, the risk extends to drowsy driving. Additionally, many teens resort to caffeine or prescription medications to stay awake.
Contrary to popular belief, teenagers aren’t inherently lazy. During puberty, the delayed release of melatonin—the brain chemical regulating sleep—shifts their natural sleep cycle, making them night owls. This biological change means they feel sleepy and wake up about two hours later than before. For students who struggle to fall asleep before midnight but must wake at 6:00 a.m. for school, this adjustment is particularly challenging.
This is the reason medical professionals are advocating for schools to push start times past 8:00 a.m., aligning with students' natural sleep patterns. Currently, just 15% of high schools begin after 8:00 a.m., but those adopting this change are seeing positive results. A recent study from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul revealed that later start times boost academic performance, test scores, and reduce teen car crashes by an astonishing 65 to 70 percent.
How late could school start times realistically be? According to Russell Foster, a circadian neuroscience expert at the University of Oxford, in an interview with New Scientist, “Any time after 8 a.m. is an improvement. Shifting to 8:30 a.m. helps, but starting at 10:00 a.m. would be ideal.”
