Start Middle & High Schools @ 10 AM

We all know that the United States educational system has a lot of problems. It doesn't teach relevant information for their students and it degrades the health of said students. I think we can all agree that this system has definitely let down the students and therefore the future of America, as well as the country as a whole.

I have a question for you: Did you know that about 80% of American teenagers are chronically sleep-deprived? Before a couple of years ago, I didn't. This is a shocking statistic that has been stuck in my head ever since I started really digesting it and educating myself on this ever-present issue. Here in lies another question: How do we solve this ever-present problem?

I and many others have begun proposing that middle and high schools should start later, but how much later. My suggestion is that we start both middle and high schools at 10 AM. I know it sounds controversial, but it's the best option, and let me tell you why. The changing circadian rhythm of adolescents suggest that 8 AM is too early a start time for them. Many of us know this already. However, what many don't know is that their brain is naturally at a more alert state around 10-11 AM, making this time the most optimal time in the day to start schools. I'm not sure one petition will do much, but if we all work together, we can help make later, more biologically sensible school start times the law of the land.