Moreau Catholic’s Later Start Time: Has It Made a Difference?

For many high school students, waking up early is one of the hardest parts of going to school. Getting enough sleep can be difficult when students have homework, sports, and other responsibilities after school. Because of this, later school start times have become an important idea for many schools.

In January 2026, Moreau Catholic adopted an 8:30 a.m. school start time. The decision came after years of discussions, surveys, and meetings about changing the school schedule. Now, nearly one year later, it is worth looking at how this change has affected Mariners and whether students are benefiting from the extra time in the morning.

One major reason for starting school later is to help students get more sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 should get between eight and ten hours of sleep each night. However, many students do not get enough sleep because they have to wake up early for school. Research also shows that getting enough sleep can help students focus, pay attention, and perform better in school.

At Moreau, the later start time gives students more time in the morning before their first class. Some students may use this extra time to sleep longer, eat a good breakfast, or get ready for school without being in a hurry.

Student Ayden Johnson says “ If my school started late i would eat a big breakfast chill for 30 minutes and take my time to school.”

However, not everyone may feel the same way about the schedule change. Starting school later also means students finish their school day later. Moreau’s regular bell schedule currently lists dismissal at 2:50 p.m. This could make it harder for students who participate in sports, clubs, or other after-school activities. It could also leave some students with less time to finish homework, spend time with family, or relax.

Junior Bryson Smith says “ even though school starting late would be good but i dont like the idea about getting out of school late in the afternoon.

Research from the American Psychological Association has found that later school start times are connected to longer sleep, better attendance, and improvements in students’ school performance. A 2022 research review published in the journal Pediatrics looked at 28 studies involving about 1.7 million young people. The results connected later school start times with longer sleep and better overall results for students.

Even with these benefits, a later start time does not mean every student will get more sleep or have an easier schedule. Students still need to balance homework, activities, and their bedtime. This is why it is important to hear from both students and teachers about their experiences with the new schedule.

Overall, Moreau Catholic’s move to an 8:30 a.m. start time was an important change for the school. Research says that later start times can help teenagers get more sleep and feel more prepared for school. However, the change may also create challenges for students with busy after-school schedules. After nearly a year, the biggest question is whether Mariners feel that the benefits of starting later are worth the changes to their afternoons.