The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that middle and high schools delay the start of classes to 8:30 a.m or later. Most pre-teens and teens are chronically sleep deprived and the too-early start of schools is a critical contributing factor.
"Chronic sleep loss in children and adolescents is one of the most common – and easily fixable – public health issues in the U.S. today. The research is clear that adolescents who get enough sleep have a reduced risk of being overweight or suffering depression, are less likely to be involved in automobile accidents, and have better grades, higher standardized test scores and an overall better quality of life.” (Judith Owens, MD, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement)