There are a lot of big questions within this confusing world we live in – questions that take not just a lot of thinking, but also real-world facts and research to prove the correct answer. One question in particular has had people debating quite a lot over the past few years. That question is: Should school start later in the day? And if we ask that question, we might as well ask: Does starting school early make a difference in the daily mind of a high schooler? Well, yes, it does.

No matter how strong a person’s opinion is, one can not deny the stone-solid facts on the subject. If you Google this pressing question, the first thing that pops up is an article from the American Psychological Association (APA) saying, “Many studies show that later school starts are associated with better grades, higher test scores, and improved focus and self-regulation among middle and high school students.” 

The APA also states: “Repeated studies have shown that when the school day starts later, teens get more sleep, and both class grades and standardized test scores go up.” 

Further research from the APA reveals that “[later] school starts correlate with improved mood, better attendance and grades, and fewer car crashes among youth.” It also states that “during puberty, youth undergo a shift in their circadian clocks, making it harder for them to fall asleep until later in the night. Meanwhile, they can stay awake longer before experiencing increased pressure to sleep.”

In knowing all this, all high schools and middle schools should change their times to later in the day. That’s not so easily done, but since the 1990s, over 250 individual schools or districts in 45 states have delayed their start times, and scores of others are considering a change at any given time. Approximately 40 schools have done the same in Pennsylvania alone, including schools in Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, and more.

Mia Coleman, a junior, offers her perspective: when asked how she feels about school being later in the day, she replied, “Please! That sounds very nice.”

When asked why, Coleman said because then she wouldn’t be tired in the morning with the extra sleep, therefore she would be able to keep her eyes open and focus during class. Coleman also said, “More sleep equals better concentration, which leads to better grades overall.” 

Coleman was also asked if having later school starts would benefit her parents. She enthusiastically replied, “Yes! Because they wouldn’t have to get up as early with me and be angry and aggressive. Overall, it would be a better start to both me and my parents’ days.”

Angela Lakin, the school psychologist who works for Delta and Kennard-Dale High School, explains that students are tired and unmotivated in the morning – sometimes even all day long. 

She says, “I think it’s good and I want it to happen, but it’s probably very unlikely to.” 

Lakin says that she likes the school hours better early in the morning because she has a comfortable routine at home with her family. 

When asked if she noticed how the current school times affect other teachers, Lakin replied, “I think it’s convenient for me and other teachers. It’s easier for adults to have a routine.” 

But if Kennard-Dale were to delay the start time, Lakin says, “I think it would be easy for the teachers to adjust.” 

So why are we still running schools off the teacher’s preferred schedule when we, the students, are the reason why school is in session in the first place?