Join us in helping teens get the sleep they need to stay healthy, safe, and focused with later school start times.
Teen Sleep Deprivation is a Silent EpidemicNearly a third of high school
students report falling asleep in school at least once a week. Numerous studies show significant damage to teens from chronic sleep loss, particularly in the following areas:
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Learning
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Emotional Well-Being
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Health & Safety
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But there’s a solution. When we start school times late enough in the morning to allow teens to get the sleep their growing brains and bodies need, they experience remarkable positive transformations in how they feel, learn, and function day-to-day.
Schools, districts, cities, and states can successfully pass policies and enact laws to help districts ensure sleep-friendly school schedules. In 2019, California became the first state to limit how early schools can start. Our nationwide, grassroots alliance enabled that change. |
Our Mission and Initiatives
Our mission is to ensure schools give children of every age an opportunity to get the essential sleep they need to be healthy, safe, and successful.
Our international coalition of over 165 volunteer-led chapters, physicians, sleep specialists, mental health professionals, educators, parents, students, and other concerned citizens is making a difference. Hundreds of school districts have switched to healthier, safer school hours that let kids get the sleep their growing brains and bodies need.
We support our coalition through vital Community Guidance, Sleep Health Education, Advocacy and Awareness, and Implementation Consulting programs.
Our international coalition of over 165 volunteer-led chapters, physicians, sleep specialists, mental health professionals, educators, parents, students, and other concerned citizens is making a difference. Hundreds of school districts have switched to healthier, safer school hours that let kids get the sleep their growing brains and bodies need.
We support our coalition through vital Community Guidance, Sleep Health Education, Advocacy and Awareness, and Implementation Consulting programs.
Our Impact
165+ chapters
worldwide |
Thousands of
media mentions |
Improved millions
of teens’ lives |
28 states
introduced bills 12 signed into law |
What People are Saying
It helped me complete my schoolwork and I’m much more interested in what I’m learning. -Hazel, Franklin High Student (WA) 
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My son’s grades and school performance are much higher. - Wheatleigh, Parent (CT) 
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Weston would not have been able to make the change without the help of Start School Later. - Chun Lim, Chapter Leader (MA) 
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In the Media: The Teen Sleep Crisis
The need to start school later is no secret. Every year hundreds of media outlets publish stories on urgent calls from
health professionals, sleep researchers, and educators to start schools at times that give students a chance to get
sufficient sleep. Last year alone, over 400 articles were published on the topic.
We support the media in developing these stories.
health professionals, sleep researchers, and educators to start schools at times that give students a chance to get
sufficient sleep. Last year alone, over 400 articles were published on the topic.
We support the media in developing these stories.
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Widespread Support
Numerous organizations recommend that middle and high schools start class no earlier than 8:30 a.m. so that
students can get healthy sleep.
students can get healthy sleep.
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Chapters Acting for ChangeOur volunteer-led chapters engage with their local communities, building support among parents, students, and school staff, and working with school officials to promote safer, healthier school hours.
To empower these local efforts, we provide strategic guidance, facilitate connections, and equip volunteers with essential tools and support. |
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Make a GiftYour support allows us to help schools across the U.S. and internationally choose schedules that prioritize student sleep, health, and well-being and provide guidance to help them implement these changes together with sleep-health education.
Donate today to empower a healthier future for every student, everywhere. |
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