A new study shows that most teens start school too early in the morning, which deprives them of the sleep they need to learn and stay healthy. Teenagers are recommended to get 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night and this study according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found out that 83% of schools start before 8:30 A.M. The average start time for 39,700 public middle schools, high schools and combined schools was 8:03 A.M., based on data from the 2011-2012 school year. However, up to a third of teens in the U.S. don’t get enough sleep each night, and the loss of shut-eye negatively impacts their grades, mental well-being and physical health.

The National Sleep Foundation says possible consequences of sleep deprivation include becoming more forgetful, having trouble learning, problem-solving and concentrating, developing acne and other skin problems, developing aggressive or inappropriate behaviors, gaining weight and overeating, increasing use of nicotine or caffeine to stay awake, and becoming more likely to get sick or injured from drowsy driving. Teenagers and children are clearly not getting enough sleep on school nights.
What are your opinions, thoughts, etc? Do you think school starts too early? Comments are welcomed here.