Most Faith Lutheran students can agree on one thing, morning comes too early. Between late-night homework, extracurriculars, and long commutes, sleep often gets cut short. But while many teens would welcome a later start, opinions across campus are surprisingly divided.
According to research from the American Academy of Pediatrics, schools that begin at 8:30 a.m. or later allow teens to get the recommended eight hours of sleep, improving grades, focus, and overall mental health. Faith Lutheran, however, still starts before 8 a.m., leaving many students struggling to stay alert through the first period.
Junior Jack Harris said his morning starts before sunrise. “I usually go to bed around 10:30 or 11 and wake up at 5:30,” he said. “I zone out a lot in my first couple classes because I’m so lost from my sleep and can’t really make sense of anything that’s going on”. He added that the lack of rest makes him “very resistant to doing anything else later in the day”.
Not every student agrees. Mia Walsh, a senior involved in performing arts, said she’s learned to prefer early starts. “Honestly, I like getting out earlier so I have more time to do things later,” she said. Though she admits early mornings leave her “tired later in the day,” Mia believes a later start would only make her “stay up later at night and abuse it”.
Teachers, too, have mixed feelings. Mr. Spencer Owen, who teaches multiple blocks throughout the day, said, “Everybody’s tired in the morning, myself included, but I’d much rather teach first block than fourth block all day everyday”. He explained that “the second block is when students are most engaged,” and even joked, “I wish we could have all four blocks before lunch and just go home at 12:30”.
Despite research showing the benefits of later start times, Faith Lutheran’s community seems to value productivity and routine. Some students argue that finishing earlier helps balance academics, sports, and jobs. Others say sleep deprivation hurts their focus and performance.
While no schedule can please everyone, the date raises an important question for both students and staff. Should high school prioritize more sleep or more time after class? For now, the first bell still rings early, and the yawns in the first period say it all.
