Every morning, millions of students across the globe prepare for school. The exact hour they start their academic day varies widely and has become a topic of intense debate. With growing research on adolescent sleep patterns and the potential impact on health and academic performance, the discussion around school start times is more pertinent than ever.
The Case for Later School Start Times
The significance of sleep in learning and health has been widely acknowledged, particularly during adolescence, which is a crucial phase of human development. The World Health Organization defines adolescents as individuals aged 10-19. Adolescence is a critical period of biological and social changes characterized by dramatic transformations in cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning.1 Consequently, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise that teenagers should get between 8 to 10 hours of sleep daily.2
Insufficient sleep in the teenage years has been tied to various adverse lifestyle outcomes. Three main areas of daytime functioning are affected by chronic sleep restriction: mental and physical health, cognitive and academic performance, and risk-taking behaviors.1
Academic Performance:
Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, cognitive functions, and even emotional regulation. Studies have shown that sleep-deprived students often experience decreased attention spans, reduced problem-solving abilities, and lower overall academic performance. A rested mind is more receptive to learning, leading to better comprehension and retention.1
Health and Well-being:
Beyond academics, sleep is vital for physical and mental health. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to mood disorders, weakened immune systems, and increased risk of diseases. Adolescents are at a critical developmental stage, and adequate sleep is essential for their growth and well-being.3
Safety Concerns:
Beginning school at an early hour could lead to students traveling during darker hours, posing potential safety risks. Commuting in the early hours, particularly in winter when days are shorter, might elevate accident risks. Research examining the effects of pushing back school start times on teens’ sleep patterns and vehicular accident rates discovered a 16.5% reduction in crash rates in a county that implemented later start times. This is in stark contrast to a 7.8% rise in teen accidents in other parts of the state.4
Potential Barriers to Later School Start Times
Aligning with Parental Work Schedules:
For many working parents, earlier school start times better align with their work schedules. This synchronization can reduce stress for families, ensuring parents can drop off their children and still arrive at work on time. It also reduces the need for before-school care, which can be an additional expense for many families.
After-School Activities:
An early start can free up more time in the afternoon. This additional time allows students to engage in extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, or even additional study sessions, fostering holistic development. It also provides an opportunity for students to engage in community activities or pursue hobbies.
Middle Ground Solutions
Staggered Start Times:
Different start times for different grades can address the varying sleep needs of students. Younger children, who naturally wake up earlier, can start school before adolescents, ensuring that each age group gets optimal sleep.
Flexible Scheduling:
Some schools are experimenting with flexible schedules, allowing students to choose their start times based on their needs. This approach respects individual differences and can lead to improved sleep quality and academic performance.
Hybrid Learning Models:
The rise of remote learning has shown the potential of hybrid models. These models offer more flexibility in scheduling, potentially reducing early morning commutes and allowing students to learn at their peak times.
Real-World Examples
Seattle School District’s decision to shift its start time from 7:50 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. in 2016 led to students getting more sleep and improved academic performance. Conversely, some rural schools prefer early starts to align with farming schedules, indicating that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be ideal. These real-world implementations provide valuable insights into the practical implications of adjusting school start times.5
The debate over school start times is multifaceted. While there is a strong case for later start times based on health and academic outcomes, practical considerations also play a role. It is essential to consider the unique needs of each community and its students. As research continues to shed light on this topic, schools and policymakers must remain adaptable and prioritize student well-being.
Learn More
Somnology’s comprehensive sleep services and data monitoring platform are engineered to provide everyone involved in the sleep care journey – from patients and care providers to healthcare payors and employers – with the information they need to improve health outcomes. With our innovative offerings like the SLaaS® (Sleep Lab as a Service) platform, telemedicine services, the SomnoRing®, and the SomnologyMD mobile app, we are revolutionizing the sleep care experience. We bring the sophistication of a sleep lab right to your fingertips, placing you, the patient, at the heart of everything we do. We are here to guide you every step of the way on your journey to better sleep. To discover more about how we can help you, visit our website.
References:
- Alfonsi, V., Scarpelli, S., D’Atri, A., Stella, G., & De Gennaro, L. (2020). Later School Start Time: The Impact of Sleep on Academic Performance and Health in the Adolescent Population. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(7), 2574. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072574
- Cheng ER, Carroll AE. Delaying School Start Times to Improve Population Health. JAMA Pediatr. 2020;174(7):641–643. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.0351
- Toprak, T., & Karan, M. . (2022). Effects of Sleep Deprivation and Early School Start Times on Adolescent Health. Journal of Student Research, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v11i3.3590
- Danner, F., & Phillips, B. (2008). Adolescent sleep, school start times, and teen motor vehicle crashes. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 4(6), 533–535.
- Dunster, G. P., de la Iglesia, L., Ben-Hamo, M., Nave, C., Fleischer, J. G., Panda, S., & de la Iglesia, H. O. (2018). Sleepmore in Seattle: Later school start times are associated with more sleep and better performance in high school students. Science advances, 4(12), eaau6200. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aau6200