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More Sleep for Students? Voters Support Delaying High School Start Times

by Courtney Vahle, Ed.D. on 03/18/2025

03/18/2025

Courtney Vahle, Ed.D., provides expert analysis on the February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll results.

In a move backed by research, neighboring Illinois recently proposed a House Bill that would prohibit public high schools from having start times earlier than 8:45 a.m.

In a systematic review of the literature, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that later school start times are associated with better outcomes, and have recommended a start time of 8:30 a.m. or later for middle and high school students. 

A separate review of the connections between delayed school start times and adolescent sleep suggested delaying school start times by 25–60 minutes for middle and high school students corresponded to an increase of 25–77 minutes of sleep per school night. Additionally, the American Psychological Association says that extra sleep pays dividends in mood, attendance, grades, and safety.

A recent publication from the PRiME Center shows high schools in Missouri begin, on average, at 7:48 a.m., a full 42 minutes earlier than the recommendation with some beginning as early as 7:00 a.m. In fact, only 3% of Missouri high schools begin class at the AAP’s recommended 8:30 a.m. or later, and one in five schools begin class before 7:30 a.m. 

The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll asked likely Missouri voters about high school start times in their area: what time high schools in their district actually start, what time high schools should start, and about any concerns with delaying the start of the school day.

Results from February 2025 indicated likely voters believed high schools start at 7:43 a.m., on average. Notably, St. Louis likely voters believed high schools started the earliest with an average start time of 7:34 a.m. The average start time likely voters believed high schools in all other regions of the state ranged from 7:40 a.m. to 7:56 a.m.

Half of the polled likely voters were given a prompt with the AAP’s recommendation and half were not before being asked “What time do you think public high schools in your district should start?” The mean responses were only one minute apart, 8:08 a.m. and 8:09 a.m. respectively. When compared to what time voters say their high schools currently start, we can surmise that voters are interested in later high school start times.

Most (57%) voters were not resistant to moving back school start times—support that crossed party lines (61% Republican and 52% Democrat). Of the concerns listed, the most common was the transportation issues caused by altering school start times. Taking these results in full, the data suggest it may be time for change in Missouri. 

Likely voters' responses to 'What would be your main concern about moving back school start times?': 9% My work schedule, 6% Extracurricular activities (for example, sports), 6% Childcare, 11% Student waking time, 12% Transportation (for example, bussing), and 57% I am not resistant to moving back school start times. Democratic voters' responses: ' 7% My work schedule, 4% Extracurricular activities (for example, sports), 8% Childcare, 10% Student waking time, 11% Transportation (for example, bussing), and 61% I am not resistant to moving back school start times. Republican voters' responses:  10% My work schedule, 9% Extracurricular activities (for example, sports), 7% Childcare, 11% Student waking time, 12% Transportation (for example, bussing), and 52% I am not resistant to moving back school start times.

Likely voters' responses to 'What would be your main concern about moving back school start times?': 9% My work schedule, 6% Extracurricular activities (for example, sports), 6% Childcare, 11% Student waking time, 12% Transportation (for example, bussing), and 57% I am not resistant to moving back school start times. Democratic voters' responses: ' 7% My work schedule, 4% Extracurricular activities (for example, sports), 8% Childcare, 10% Student waking time, 11% Transportation (for example, bussing), and 61% I am not resistant to moving back school start times. Republican voters' responses:  10% My work schedule, 9% Extracurricular activities (for example, sports), 7% Childcare, 11% Student waking time, 12% Transportation (for example, bussing), and 52% I am not resistant to moving back school start times.

This analysis is based on data from the February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll and reflects the opinion of the author.