Why should we start school later? Well, many high school students are failing to meet the recommended hours of sleep for their age due to waking up so early for school. According to the CDC, at least 93% of high schools started before 8:30 am. But during puberty, the biological body rhythms change causing teens to get sleepier later at night and want to sleep in later in the morning. So many teens aren't falling asleep until late at night and then failing to meet the hours of sleep for their age because they have to get up early for school. Sleep deprivation has more of an impact on one's life than just missing a few hours of sleep. For example, students who are sleep-deprived are more likely to be addicted to drugs and alcohol, obese, and more likely to be involved in car accidents. Moving back our start times would help students in the long run. Missing 2 hours of sleep doesn't seem like that big of a deal but how about missing 2 hours of sleep for 4 years straight. In the end, high school students are going to be exhausted mentally and physically.  

Here are some sites to check out to learn more:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/school-and-sleep/later-school-start-times 

https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/schools-start-too-early.html