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My kids' HS starts at 7:40 (I'd say that's pretty average for our area) and although we don't have zero hour, plenty of clubs meet before school, sports teams practice, choirs/bands rehearse, etc. Lots of kids get to school half an hour early just to sit in the cafeteria and socialize with their friends, too.
No, it's not unusual. School schedules are usually determined by the school board or governing body over each school. It is different for different schools all over the country. Also, due to insurance regulations, schools are not permitted to have students on campus before/after the regular school day unless they are involved in some kind of school-related activity or participate in some kind of school-sponsored daycare program through a third party (ie. YMCA programs).
When I was a kid, it was 8:38 a.m. I don't know why it was that odd time, but that's what it was.
In the school district in which we live, there are different bell schedules at the various schools (large district, many schools). They range from 7:45 a.m. to 9:15. My own kids are on the 9:15 one, thank goodness. We are not early morning people here.
Most of our high schools start at 7:15 am and get out at 2:15 pm. This has to do with kids having after school jobs at 16, so having them out earlier means they can work. It really is too bad since research shows the high school kids really should start later as their body clocks are not good with the early part of the day.
Most of our high schools start at 7:15 am and get out at 2:15 pm. This has to do with kids having after school jobs at 16, so having them out earlier means they can work. It really is too bad since research shows the high school kids really should start later as their body clocks are not good with the early part of the day.
This research was cited in my local school district, which decided to start earlier and also end later when they added an extra class period to the day. They also cut busses to reduce transportation expenses, which forces some kids to catch the bus at 6:15AM for a 7:20AM start. The busses make a run for the secondary students and then return to pick up elementary students.
When I was a kid, it was 8:38 a.m. I don't know why it was that odd time, but that's what it was.
In the school district in which we live, there are different bell schedules at the various schools (large district, many schools). They range from 7:45 a.m. to 9:15. My own kids are on the 9:15 one, thank goodness. We are not early morning people here.
I agree, far too early. No school should begin before 8am and any early/zero hour classes should be voluntary. My kids have never gone to a school that started before 8:00 and they never will.
Most of our high schools start at 7:15 am and get out at 2:15 pm. This has to do with kids having after school jobs at 16, so having them out earlier means they can work. It really is too bad since research shows the high school kids really should start later as their body clocks are not good with the early part of the day.
Our high school's homeroom was at 8:10, first period at 8:20 (in the early 90s). I remember rolling in at 8:09 my senior year when I had a car. I worked between 15 and 20 hours a week in high school and worked a 5-10 shift. I don't know how I would have survived school starting at 7:15 - I've always been a terrible night owl. Shoot, I don't even get up before 7:15 now that I'm working full time!
I agree, far too early. No school should begin before 8am and any early/zero hour classes should be voluntary. My kids have never gone to a school that started before 8:00 and they never will.
Our district did a survey about 5-6 years ago about changing the starting time for the high school based on new studies that show teens do better if they stay up later and sleep in later--not so much that they needed "more" sleep, but just works best for the teen "clock". They surveyed parents, teachers and students in separate surveys-but asking the same questions. Teachers and parents, 80+% said to change the schedule, the KIDS however, 75+% said no, keep it as is. I thought that was very interesting.
So, will you move if your kids schools starts before 8:00??
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