Hey all, I've noticed my school starts pretty early and this got me thinking - is my school an outlier or is this the norm? What time do most high schools start across the country?
You're not alone in noticing how early school days start. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. in order to give students a sufficient amount of sleep. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the average start time for schools across the country is actually 8:00 a.m., with some schools starting even earlier.
Remember that individual states and districts have control over their school schedules, so there can be quite a bit of variation from place to place. Some districts are starting to explore later start times, especially in light of research suggesting that additional sleep can aid academic performance and mental health in adolescents.
By the way, if you're finding it hard to adjust to the early morning, consider adjusting your evening routine to ensure you're getting enough sleep. It can make a world of difference. Hope this provides some clarity!
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