At first, starting school at 9 a.m. sounds great. Most students enjoy getting extra sleep in the morning. However, the downside is that the school day doesn’t end until 4:20 p.m., which can make the rest of the day feel rushed and exhausting. Starting school earlier and getting out earlier would make students’ schedules much easier to manage.
One issue with the current schedule is after-school activities. Sports, clubs and other activities don’t start until after dismissal, which means students often stay at school until 6 p.m. or later. For athletes and students involved in organizations, the school day can feel like it lasts almost the entire day.
The late dismissal also makes it harder for students to balance homework and personal time. By the time students get home, eat dinner and start homework, it can already be late in the evening. Getting out earlier would give students more time to complete their work without feeling rushed.
In addition, some students want after-school jobs, but getting out at 4:20 pm can make it difficult to work evening shifts. Starting school earlier would give students more flexibility to gain work experience.
Although starting school later can help students get more sleep, the late dismissal creates other problems. If school started earlier and ended earlier, students would have more time for activities, homework, and rest. A small schedule change could make a big difference in students’ daily lives.
