The majority of the students attending Glenbrook North High School believe that school should begin later in order to maintain a healthy learning environment. Students show signs of being more lively and awake during classes on late arrival days because they are receiving an increase in the amount of time they sleep. If we make school begin later on a daily basis students will be able to see an increase in focus leading to better education, and a brighter future.

Let's look at the facts:
- The hormones that regulate sleep make it difficult for teens to fall asleep before 11 p.m. Teens may be more awake at 10 p.m. than they are earlier in the day. These same hormones make it very difficult for teens to wake and be alert in the early morning.

- Adolescents need an average of 9 hours of sleep per night. U.S. teens actually average 7 hours of sleep per night.

- Sleep debt affects mood, particularly among teenagers. Millions of adolescents are despondent, an increasing number on medication for depression.

- Sleep debt affects teens ability to think, perform and react appropriately. High school teachers report very low alertness levels in the first classes of the day.

- Research shows many benefits from later secondary school start times. These include decreases in teen depression, teen car accidents, teen behavior problems and absentee and dropout rates.

Should Glenbrook North High School start at a later time?