Too Early Start to High School

Our high school starts at 7:30 in the morning. I am really concerned that it is too early, but no one will listen to me. Extra tutoring at our school starts at 6:45, so many students have to leave home by 6:30 or earlier. These students just aren't getting enough sleep. How can I get people to listen to me? -- Worried
Answer: One voice isn't likely to make a difference. You will need to work with a parents' group at the school. Ask to speak at a meeting. Bring research that supports your belief that the school is starting too early. Ask the group to form a committee of like-minded parents to present a report to the school principal and superintendent.
There is loads of information on this topic. A high school in Rhode Island decided to try starting school at 8:30 instead of at 8:00 and found that having a half-hour later starting time resulted in the students being more alert, less depressed and more likely to actually attend class than before the time change. The experiment was so successful that the start time for this school was permanently changed to 8:30.
Many sleep experts state that high-school students are biologically programmed to stay up late. Therefore, having to get up early for school leaves many of them sleep deprived. And you will find loads of studies showing that high-school students do their best academically when they are rested. Another negative to early starting times is that many students skip breakfast.