The first school bell in Miami-Dade County might be 40 minutes later, if the school board adopts a new plan under consideration.
Elementary and middle schools start anywhere from 8:30 to 9:10 a.m. High schools start earlier, at 7:20 a.m., because a majority of students attend “choice” programs, like magnet schools, rather than their assigned neighborhood schools.
Read more: Miami-Dade District Considers Later School Bells, Weighing Science Against Logistics
Research shows that students aren’t getting enough sleep — which can lead to poor academic performance and serious health problems. Later start times could fix that. Medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association, suggest school start times at 8:30 a.m. or later for high school students.
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