It’s no secret that teenagers are not morning people. Most of them would rather sleep in than wake up early for school. Unfortunately, the vast majority of high schools start around 7:30 am, so many students are forced to wake up early when their bodies are not naturally inclined to do so. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of schools starting later.
1. Increased Sleep Time
A study has shown that starting school later in the day increases the amount of sleep that students get. This extra sleep can be beneficial for students in many ways. It can improve their mood, increase their energy levels, and help them to concentrate better in class. It can also reduce the risk of them developing depression or anxiety. So if you’re a student, or the parent of a student, who is struggling with getting enough sleep, starting school later might be the answer. Talk to your school administrator about making the change and see if it makes a difference for you.
2. Better Mental and Emotional Health
Starting school later has been shown to have numerous benefits for students, including better mental and emotional health. Although starting school later may not be possible for all students, the benefits of doing so are undeniable. Mental and emotional health are two of the most important aspects of a person’s well-being. Starting school later improves both of these things in students. Students who start school later have been shown to have better mental health, more positive attitudes towards school, and more balanced emotional lives.
3. Little to No Tardiness With Schools Starting Later
Research has shown that starting school later in the day leads to little to no tardiness. The study, conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, looked at a sample of elementary, middle, and high school students. The findings showed that when schools start later in the day, tardiness drops significantly. There are several reasons why this may be the case. For one, students are more likely to be well-rested when they start school later in the day. This leads to improved concentration and focus, which in turn leads to better attendance. Additionally, starting school later in the day gives students more time to get to school, which can be especially helpful for students who live far from school or who have difficulty getting up in the morning.
We’ve found that here at The Tenney School, students perform better and are more alert with our late start time of 9:00am. Student mood improvement seems to have improved as well with students being more sociable and an increase in participation in classes.
4. Less Reliance on Caffeine
Starting school later in the day has been shown to lead to less reliance on caffeine among students. This is because students who start school later in the day tend to get more sleep, which leads to less reliance on caffeine to stay awake during the day.
While this may not seem like a big deal, it can have a significant impact on a student’s health. Caffeine is a stimulant, and too much of it can lead to anxiety, sleeplessness, and other health problems. So, by starting school later, students can avoid these problems and stay healthy.
5. Improved Academic Performance
A 2018 Research suggests starting school later in the day can positively impact academic performance. Some studies have shown that later start times can lead to better grades, higher test scores, and improved attendance. There are many potential reasons for this. One is that teenagers are simply more awake and alert later in the day. Another is that starting school later gives students more time to sleep, which is critical for teenagers as they are still growing and developing. The bottom line is that starting school later can be beneficial for students. If your child is struggling in school, it may be worth talking to their teacher or school administrator about the possibility of a later start time.
Learn More About the Benefits of Schools Starting Later
Although there are many benefits of making school start later in the day, the most important one is that it would improve the student’s health and well-being. Late start times would give students the chance to get the recommended amount of sleep, which would lead to better physical and mental health. If you are interested in this change, please contact us.