This school year, the school has adjusted the late start schedule, replacing many of last year’s full late starts (starting at 9:35 a.m.) with shorter half-late starts at 8:40 a.m. While the change still gives students extra time in the morning, many say it doesn’t feel like a significant break and would rather have the full delay.
Last year’s full late starts were frequent, giving students an additional hour and a half to rest, catch up on homework, or enjoy a slower morning. This year’s shift to earlier late starts leaves only 40 extra minutes before the school day begins. For some, that difference feels significant. “I would rather have full late starts instead of less of them because I think as students we deserve to have a break, sleep in and clear our mind from all the craziness,” said senior Anna Folger. Students like Anna say full late starts helped with stress and mental health, giving them time to recharge during an otherwise busy week. With rigorous coursework, sports, clubs, and part-time jobs, many students enjoyed the rare, longer mornings.
The half-late schedule has also created mixed feelings. Forty minutes, some say, isn’t enough to truly reset or recover from late-night studying. Some students have mentioned that by the time they have to get up again ready barely makes a difference because of they large amount of traffic.
The shift to shorter delays, even if still seems like a break, doesn’t carry the same sense of relief or pause. Students remember how the longer starts gave their mornings a calmer rhythm, and losing that small period of time has made school days feel more relentless. Even a small adjustment in start time, can affect the overall pace of the week and how balanced or overwhelmed they feel as responsibilities pile up.
