We are renewing our call for the educators and board members of the Ann Arbor Public School District to put students first!

We are a group of concerned parents, teachers, support staff, and scientists who care about students’ needs. The science is clear that teens need to start school no earlier than 8:30 a.m., as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Sleep Foundation.

Ann Arbor high school students must be in school by 7:45 a.m., with some bus pickups starting at 6:34, lunch at 10:30, and the school day ending at 2:36 (or 1:42). This early start and end to the official school day causes chronic adolescent sleep deprivation due to adolescent biology.

Puberty causes a "sleep lag" where internal circadian rhythms are delayed compared to adults. As a consequence, the majority of teens struggle to fall asleep before 11 p.m., or to wake until well past sunrise. When teens are forced to be awake at times inappropriate for their biological cycle, the result is impaired cognitive performance, learning, physical and emotional health, and safety.

Schools moving to a later start time document improvements in attendance, academic performance, standardized test scores, and graduation rates. In addition, students experience less depression and anxiety, fewer physical illnesses, lower rates of substance abuse, and fewer car accidents.

By simply aligning school schedules to teenagers' biological sleep rhythms, critical improvements in students' lives follow. These changes are shown to be even more beneficial for students who are struggling in school. 

What are you willing to do in the best interest of our students?

Join us to urge our school district to take action!