Every Wednesday at Yorba Linda High School it is a late start, and classes start 30 minutes later; this allows a shorter school day and, for most students, more sleep. However, some students feel that instead of a late start we should have a minimum day – ending earlier.

Many people outside and inside of school seem to prefer the late start for the main reason of “sleep”. The average teenager needs about eight to ten hours of sleep in order to be fully rested and ready for the school day. An article written by Eric Suni of Sleep Foundation says “Later school start times support the biological needs of adolescents; they increase the number of sleep adolescents get.” Even so, this paves the way for a new question: is a mere 30 minutes enough of a difference? 

There are also individuals who advocate for shorter school days and occasional breaks. An article from 2018 states, “A shorter school day can bring physical, social and emotional benefits to students.”(Classroom Synopsis). The article also goes into depth about how students should have more time to focus on extracurriculars while also developing hobbies and healthy social life.

Personally, I would prefer having a late start because it allows me more time in the mornings to prepare for my classes and have a more calm and relaxed morning. Every Thursday I have a zero period which starts at 6:40, and now more than ever I understand the disadvantages of the school day starting so early. While in theory getting home earlier seems so much better, I believe that having an occasional late start is better for focus and success in a school setting. Another factor is that most students do not have a 6th period so they are already going home at 1:43 which is pretty early when compared to other schools’ dismissal times. 

Many other Yorba Linda High School students feel differently, and according to Adil Ismial  (10), “(I prefer) minimum day because then I have the rest of the day to be productive and complete assignments”. This was a common theme for people who preferred the idea of a minimum day, wanting to be home earlier to do other activities away from school. 

All in all, I think that these different opinions are overall equally split, with varying reasoning and evidence to support their thoughts. With the school year progressing, what do you think the Wednesday schedule should be?