Success Stories
We collect stories of districts that have found ways to move their middle and/or high school bell times later for every US state.
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If you think it's too hard to return schools to healthier hours, we've found schools in 46 U.S. states that have done it already. While our collection is by no means comprehensive, and while some of these schedules aren't ideal, they all give students a chance for healthier sleep than the typical American middle or high school.
Hundreds of school communities across the USA—and beyond—have found ways to make this happen by prioritizing health and learning. If you have a success story to share, please LET US KNOW! And if you see our information is out-of-date or inaccurate, please let us know as well.
What's "Success"?At Start School Later, we don't consider any story a complete success if any student of any age is required to be in class before 8 a.m. or middle and high school students required to be in class before 8:30 a.m. However, we also consider progress to be a kind of success story. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
That's why in addition to celebrating full "success stories," we also recognize districts moving in the right direction to the benefit of the larger community. And, of course, we encourage them to keep working and progressing until every child of every age goes to school at safe, healthy, equitable hours. 
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Featured Success Story: Greenwich, CTLooking for a school district that puts kids first and prioritizes their health? Look to Greenwich, one of a growing number of districts that built their schedule around teens’ sleep needs.
Did You Know?
How did they do it? Check out these
CASE STUDIES Is there a data repository of school start time change by district?
Here's the answer. |
More Voices of Success
Wheatleigh Dunham led the Start School Later Greenwich CT Chapter’s successful effort to start school later, which benefited his youngest child. "We've raised three boys. Our last has only gone to school waking up in the light. The difference is profound and difficult to fully describe. His grades and school performance are much higher than his brothers. His athletics, mood, behavior, family dynamics, diet, socialization, health, time management, focus, are also improved.
“It's honestly been the single best improvement to my parenting experience,” said Dunham. “It is beyond me why all districts don't listen to the medical and academic experts and switch to healthy start times. There is no price tag you can put on this long list of proven benefits.”
“It's honestly been the single best improvement to my parenting experience,” said Dunham. “It is beyond me why all districts don't listen to the medical and academic experts and switch to healthy start times. There is no price tag you can put on this long list of proven benefits.”
Congratulations on your advocacy in California and Florida and the passage of state guidelines. This is an incredible accomplishment....We have all come a long ways since the first high school to start school later in 1996 in Edina, MN. — Ken Dragseth, PhD, Retired Superintendent who led the very first sleep-research-based decision to start school later in 1996. We've raised three boys. One didn't have the benefit of our switch to 8:30 start times. He suffered the most. The middle one split two years of each. Our last has only gone to school waking up in the light. The difference is profound and difficult to fully describe. His grades and school performance are much higher than his brothers. Also his athletics, mood, behavior, family dynamics, diet, socialization, health, time management, focus, and also much more improved. It's honestly been the single best improvement to my parenting experience having seen all three stages. It is beyond me why all districts don't listen to the medical and academic experts and switch to healthy start times. There is no price tag you can put on this long list of proven benefits." — Wheatleigh Dunham, Greenwich CT Weston would not have been able to make the change without the help of SSL [Start School Later]. We utilized many of the resources including their slides, flyers/brochures, and advice on engaging the school system and community. We received a lot of help, assistance, and support from many SSL members. So thank you." — Chun Lim, Chapter Leader, Start School Later Weston, MA I also want to thank you for all the assistance and guidance you have provided. The going has been hard, but having expertise, encouragement, and access to data made it possible for our local core to be much more effective than we would have been on our own." "Thank you! Your support was a huge part in our success!" |
Once upon a time, I started a Start School Later chapter in my community and now, here we are: "Thank you for all the support from Start School Later. Your resources were invaluable and your efforts lit the path." Thanks for all of your work! Organization and raising awareness in the community are key components to success. As others have noted, this is similar to raising awareness about other public health matters such as the dangers of second hand smoking, the importance of seat belts, car seats and many other issues. Change is a challenge. As chair of SLEEPinFairfax (Start Later for Excellence in Education) I applaud Start School Later!" "Happy to report that our school district voted unanimously against the condensed schedule which included earlier start times. I'd like to think that all the evidence from your website along with proof of so many states following [suit] helped sway them." "[Y]ou have been a tremendous resource to us. We've made more progress in a year than ever would have been possible had it not been for SSL and those who have fought before us!" |