Sleep is one of three things that humans need in order to survive and thrive. Teenagers need more sleep than any other age group, around 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night. However, only 15% get the recommended minimum of 8 ½ hours of sleep. So how does a lack of sleep affect teenagers, and how does that reflect on their school life? 

“I get about 8 hours of sleep on average, and my grades are all high A’s. On nights when I don’t get around eight hours, my productivity is drastically decreased,” Freshman Kade Brackin said.

The scientific community is practically begging schools to start later so that students are more productive. If a student were not to get enough sleep for even one day, their grades or even future could be at risk. Schools can add the stress of a major test on top of the stress of extracurricular activities or sports that a student may do. This not only affects a students productivity in school, but it can also leave a negative impact on their extracurricular activities.

“I usually cram the night before a big test so I can pass but that also affects my abilities as an athlete and that could potentially make me or my team lose. If school started later, I could be more productive in class and on the field which would make things a lot easier and less stressful,” Freshman Athlete Darren Dawkins said.

According to The San Francisco Times some states like California are already planning on delaying school start times to at least an hour later than usual. Some schools have even reported that students who used to sleep in class and have failing grades now show quality work and have better grades. The students are also happier and have much more positive attitudes which increases the overall quality of the classroom and the school. 

In an interview conducted by the Los Angeles Times, the pediatrician’s group stated that they “recognize insufficient sleep in adolescents as a public health issue, endorses the scientific rationale for later school start times, and acknowledges the potential benefits to students with regard to physical and mental health, safety, and academic achievements.”

The largest problems are the cost of reconfiguring bus schedules and lower income communities. The cost of starting school later can cost rural schools thousands of dollars because they would have to send multiple buses out to homes or communities. Lower-income communities are also at a disadvantage when it comes to this movement. Around 13 million Americans have multiple jobs and even more can’t afford to wait longer for their children’s school schedules.

So this movement could be either great for schools or detrimental to the working class.