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Early school hours PREVENT many students from getting the 8.5 - 9.25 hours per night that  most teenagers and young adults need. 

Starting school at times more in sync with the sleep needs of adolescents can:

• improve academic performance and decreased tardiness, absenteeism, and drop-out rates
• decrease automobile accidents among teens and in entire communities
• reduce teen depression, substance abuse, mood swings, and risky behaviors
  
• reduce sleep deprivation, which in turn may reduce risk of many serious physical and mental health problems, including weight gain, diabetes, immune disorders, depression, and thoughts of suicide.

The need to Start School Later is a national public health concern!