Have you ever tried to focus in your first-period class while barely awake? Many teens struggle with early school start times that leave them tired and unfocused. What most people don’t realize is that teens’ brains are wired to sleep and wake up later than those of adults.

This is why the California government passed a law in 2019 requiring that middle schools can’t start their day before 8:00 a.m. and high schools can’t start before 8:30 a.m. This change happened because research shows that when students get more sleep, they are healthier and happier, and they perform better in school.

According to a study from the University of Washington, when high schools delayed their start times by nearly an hour, students gained over half an hour more sleep each night. Getting enough sleep helps teens stay alert, focused, and healthy. When schools start later, students are less likely to doze off in class and are more likely to succeed.

Not getting enough sleep affects mood and emotions. The National Library of Medicine reports that sleep-deprived teens are more likely to feel stressed or depressed. Schools that have moved their start times later in the day have also seen fewer teen car crashes, because students were more awake behind the wheel. 

Some people worry that later start times will interfere with sports or jobs. However, the National Education Association explained that schools can adjust schedules to fix these issues. The benefits to students’ sleep, safety and learning make the change worth it.

Therefore, starting school later helps students stay healthy, focused, and ready to learn. Teens deserve schedules that match how their bodies work. By making this simple change, schools can improve student success, safety and overall well-being.