Studies have shown that starting the school day too early negatively effects students academic performance and mental health which is directly caused by not getting enough sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has recommended that children from 13 to 18 years of age should get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night. However, the school district of Ellensburg Washington has High School Students getting up between 5 and 5:30 in the morning so they can catch the bus between 6 and 6:30. They start their school day at 7:25 in the morning, Monday through Friday while the average High School Student doesn't usually go to bed until around 10:30 or 11 every night. This means that the average High Schooler only gets about 5 and 1/2 hours of sleep per night. I propose that we begin implementing a later start to the school day for High School Students. Even just one hour later would help improve their sleep which will in turn lead to better academic performance and improved mental health.

https://www.google.com/search?q=why+starting+school+early+is+bad&oq=why+starting+school+early+is+bad+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i390.7415j0j4&client=ms-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/features/students-sleep.htm#:~:text=Importance%20of%20Sleep&text=The%20American%20Academy%20of%20Sleep,10%20hours%20per%2024%20hours

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.alaskasleep.com/blog/are-high-school-start-times-bad-for-your-teens-sleep%3fhs_amp=true