Barrington High School Starts Later in 2017

Barrington High School has recently announced later start times for the 2017-2018 school year.  

Following almost two years of evaluation, deliberation, and planning, Barrington has released the details behind a new school start time of 8:30 a.m.  This is in line with the recommendation of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine that high schools start classes no earlier than 8:30 a.m.  

This is a welcome change for all students who tend to hit that snooze button a few times every morning.  Scheduling school a little later matches a teenager's typical sleep pattern, resulting in a better rested student.  They should look forward to being more alert and engaged during the school day, as well as having an easier time getting to school on time.

As a parent, I am even more excited about reducing the students' risk for motor vehicle accidents, depression, risk taking behaviors, athletic injuries, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction.  Improved school performance, including better grades, associated with later start times is just icing on the cake.

Kudos to Barrington High School for making this important change to the students' school day!