BERKLEY, Mich. – High school students in one Oakland County neighborhood will be getting some extra shut eye in the 2018 - 2019 school year.
Berkley High School has moved the starting bell to 8:20 a.m., 40 minutes later than previous years.
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This comes as communities and school districts across the country debate how early school should start.
The school district issued the following statement with the change:
Berkley High School has the greatest change in bell times. High School administrators and staff studied the impact of a later start on teenagers for well over a year before recommending the start time adjustment. Last year, Randy Gawel, BHS Principal at the time, held a town hall meeting with parents about the reasons behind the exploration of a later start time. The evidence presented included:
- Increase in student achievement
- Fewer unplanned/unexcused absences/tardies
- Fewer teen automobile accidents
- Increased sleep opportunities
- Lower rate of depression and suicide among teens
- A later start time is endorsed by the Center for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American School Health Association, among others
Recent studies have found a link between later school start times and better sleep, as wellas improved attendance and better grades.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has even released a statement urging school districts to consider later start times.