We are high school students in the St. Vrain Valley school district who are concerned about the mental and physical health of students with long and early school days. Studies show the teen brain doesn’t fully wake up until about 9 a.m., but all eight schools in the district start at 7:45 in the morning. Teenagers are naturally less alert in the early morning, which can be harmful for those who drive themselves to school, as well as biking or walking. In early morning classes, students have difficulties with staying focused, as well as lacking performance in their classroom tasks.

In a normal school day students spend seven hours in school, plus around two to three hours of sports or extracurricular activities. By the time they get home, eat dinner, shower and have family time they still

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