Why Do High Schools Start So Early?

For many high school students, the early morning alarm is a dreaded part of their daily routine. With school start times as early as 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. in many districts, teens often find themselves waking up well before sunrise, struggling with sleep deprivation, and feeling groggy throughout the day. For years, parents, educators, and health experts have questioned why high schools start so early and whether these early start times are in the best interest of students.

In this article, we’ll explore the reasons high schools start early, the impact of early start times on students, and the growing movement to push for later start times to better align with teens’ biological needs.

Table of Contents

The early start times for high schools are often the result of logistical and historical factors that have shaped the structure of the school day over time.

1. Transportation Logistics

One of the key reasons high schools start early is related to school bus schedules. In many districts, buses are shared between high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. To accommodate this, school districts often stagger the start times for each level of school, with high school starting the earliest.

Example: In a district with a single fleet of buses, high school students may start at 7:30 a.m., middle school students may start at 8:30 a.m., and elementary students may start at 9:00 a.m. This allows the same buses and drivers to run multiple routes in the morning and afternoon.

Starting high school earlier allows districts to save money and reduce the number of buses and drivers needed. However, this scheduling often comes at the cost of students’ sleep.

2. Historical Precedent

The tradition of starting high schools early has roots in the industrial era, when the structure of schooling was often designed to prepare students for the workforce. Early school start times mirrored the early workday of factories and other industries, allowing teens to transition more easily into adult roles after graduation.

Example: In the early 20th century, schools were often designed to end early in the afternoon to give students time to help with family farms or work part-time jobs after school.

While society has changed significantly since then, many schools have retained these early start times, even though they may no longer reflect the needs of modern students or families.

3. Afternoon Activities and Extracurriculars

High schools often prioritize early start times to allow for after-school activities like sports, clubs, and part-time jobs to take place in the afternoon. Starting school earlier allows students to finish their academic day by mid-afternoon, leaving time for extracurriculars before dinner or evening commitments.

Example: A high school might dismiss students at 2:30 p.m., giving athletes time to practice, participate in sports events, or attend other extracurricular activities during daylight hours.

Early start times can also make it easier for students to balance their academic responsibilities with family commitments or after-school jobs. However, this focus on afternoon activities may come at the expense of students’ sleep and overall well-being.

4. Parental Work Schedules

For many working parents, early high school start times align with their own work schedules. Parents who must leave for work early in the morning may find it more convenient for their teens to start school early and finish in the afternoon, allowing the family to coordinate transportation and schedules more easily.

Example: A parent who starts work at 8:00 a.m. might appreciate that their high schooler can catch the bus at 6:30 a.m., allowing both to leave the house around the same time.

While this may be convenient for some families, it doesn’t necessarily align with the biological needs of teenagers, who require more sleep than they are often getting with early start times.

The Impact of Early Start Times on Students

1. Sleep Deprivation

One of the most significant problems with early high school start times is that they contribute to sleep deprivation among teenagers. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night for optimal health and performance. However, studies show that the vast majority of high school students are not getting enough sleep.

Example: A high school student who has to wake up at 6:00 a.m. may need to go to bed by 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. to get enough sleep. However, due to homework, extracurricular activities, and their natural biological clock, many teens stay up much later, leading to chronic sleep deprivation.

2. Teen Biological Clocks

Teenagers experience a shift in their circadian rhythms during adolescence, which causes them to feel naturally inclined to stay up later and wake up later. This means that even if teens try to go to bed early, their bodies may not feel sleepy until late at night, making it difficult for them to get the recommended amount of sleep when they have to wake up early for school.

Example: The National Sleep Foundation explains that during puberty, the hormone melatonin (which helps regulate sleep) is released later in the evening for teens, making it harder for them to fall asleep early and wake up early.

When high school starts early, teens are forced to wake up at a time that conflicts with their natural sleep patterns, leading to sleep deficits that can affect their health, mood, and academic performance.

3. Academic Performance

Sleep deprivation has been linked to poorer academic performance in high school students. When teens don’t get enough sleep, it affects their ability to concentrate, retain information, and solve problems. Sleep-deprived students are more likely to struggle with attention in class, fall asleep during lessons, and perform poorly on exams.

Example: A study published in the journal Sleep found that students who got more sleep had higher grades, while sleep-deprived students were more likely to have lower academic achievement.

By starting school later, students would be more alert and better able to engage with the material, leading to improved academic outcomes.

4. Mental and Physical Health

Chronic sleep deprivation has serious consequences for both mental and physical health. Teens who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Lack of sleep also weakens the immune system, making students more susceptible to illness.

Example: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that insufficient sleep in teenagers is associated with a higher risk of mental health issues, obesity, and even substance abuse.

By delaying school start times, students could experience better mental health, higher energy levels, and improved overall well-being.

The Push for Later High School Start Times

In response to growing concerns about the effects of early start times, many health experts and educators are advocating for later high school start times to better align with teens’ biological needs. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, and other organizations recommend that high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m..

1. Research on Later Start Times

Research has shown that when high schools delay their start times, students benefit in several ways, including:

Increased sleep duration: Teens get more sleep when they have more time in the morning, leading to improved alertness and energy levels.
Better academic performance: Students who get more sleep are better able to focus, leading to higher grades and improved test scores.

Improved attendance and punctuality: Students are less likely to miss school or arrive late when they are well-rested.
Better mental health: More sleep leads to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Example: A study conducted in Seattle found that after high schools moved their start times from 7:50 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., students gained an average of 34 minutes of sleep per night, and their grades and attendance improved.

2. School Districts That Have Made the Change

Several school districts across the U.S. have already made the switch to later start times, with positive results. For example, in Fairfax County, Virginia, high schools changed their start times from 7:20 a.m. to 8:10 a.m., leading to improved sleep, better academic performance, and fewer absences.

Example: In Minneapolis, high schools pushed their start times from 7:15 a.m. to 8:40 a.m., and studies found that students reported feeling more focused, less tired, and better able to manage their schedules.

Despite these successes, some schools have been slow to make the change due to concerns about after-school activities, transportation logistics, and the potential impact on parents’ schedules.

Conclusion

High schools start early for a variety of reasons, including transportation logistics, historical traditions, and the need to accommodate after-school activities. However, early start times can have significant negative effects on students, particularly when it comes to sleep deprivation, academic performance, and mental health.

As research continues to highlight the benefits of later start times, more schools are considering the shift to better align with teens’ natural sleep cycles. By starting the school day later, high schools can help students get the rest they need to thrive both academically and emotionally, setting them up for greater success in the classroom and beyond.

Why Do High Schools Start So Early?