Many Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) families have shared a preference for later school start times for secondary students. Based on several factors, Johnson High School was selected to pilot an 8:30 a.m. start time in fall 2015, with the additional benefit of using Metro Transit to get to and from school.

This pilot program is a direct result of feedback received during our Rethinking School Start Time engagement process.

Johnson High School was selected because:

• The school is in a good location to use Metro Transit's current bus routes.
• Principal Micheal Thompson has experience working with Metro Transit.
• SPPS will be able to understand how a Metro Transit partnership will work with a district-wide magnet school.

Benefits to Changing Start Times:

SECONDARY STUDENTS*
Results of a later start time for secondary schools

SLEEP

Science behind teen sleep patterns

• Later sleep patterns are biological, not necessarily behavioral
• 9 or more hours of sleep is best for teenagers
• However, 69% of high school students do not receive 8 hours of sleep
• Delayed onset of melatonin (a chemical in the brain that regulates sleep) for teens makes it difficult to go to sleep earlier
• Melatonin release and natural sleep cycle begins between 10:45 – 11 p.m.
• Later school start times show no impact on when teens fall asleep

HEALTH

When students receive fewer than 8 hours of sleep

• Increased rates of depression, anxiety and fatigue
• Interference with brain development (memory formation)
• Increased rates of auto accidents
• Decreased athletic and motor skills
• Weight gain and/or elevated blood pressure
• Increased likelihood of risk-taking behaviors
• Increased risk of suicide 

SCHOOL

When students begin school at 8:30 a.m. or later

• Improved attendance and decreased tardiness
• Improvement in continuous enrollment
• Improved health and fewer trips to the nurse
• Improved alertness
• Increase in GPA
• Increase in percent of students scoring “proficient” on MCA math
• Increase in secondary students eating breakfast

*Source: Examining the Impact of Later High School Start Times on the Health and Academic Performance of High School Students: A Multi-Site Study, Kyla L. Wahlstrom, Ph.D., University of Minnesota.

Challenges

SECONDARY STUDENTS
Family and Student Based

• High school students would not be able to watch younger siblings after school
• Students will get home later from after-school activities
• Student athletes likely to miss last period for non-conference games
• Less time for after school student employment

School Based

• After school activities, including athletic practices and competitions, will run later
• Schedule shifts may be needed for evening high school or credit recovery programs
• Disruption to staff routines