Early School Start Times Challenge Teen Sleep Patterns, Raising Concerns for Parents
A parent is grappling with the early start times of her daughter's high school, which begins at 7:25 a.m., conflicting with adolescent circadian rhythms that naturally prompt teens to sleep and wake later. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., yet the average start time across the U.S. is 8 a.m. The parent occasionally allows her daughter to sleep in, missing the first period, to help her cope with sleep deprivation caused by a demanding schedule that includes homework, sports, and social activities. The school offers one 'late start' day per month, beginning at 9:40 a.m., which the parent notes significantly improves her daughter's mood and readiness for the day. 
