Science, medicine, and our students all agree: a 7:45 AM start time is harming academic performance, mental health, and safety. We're changing it.
Adolescent sleep isn't laziness — it's a biological reality. Asking teenagers to perform at 7:45 AM is like asking adults to report to work at 4 AM. The research is unambiguous.
During puberty, the brain's internal clock shifts by 1–3 hours, making it physiologically impossible for most teens to fall asleep before 11 PM — or to be fully alert in the early morning hours.
Schools that shifted to later start times report improvements in grades, attendance, and standardized test scores. A multi-site University of Minnesota study of over 9,000 students across eight high schools found significant academic gains after schools moved to 8:35 AM or later.
Sleep deprivation in adolescents is directly linked to depression, anxiety, increased suicide risk, and substance use. Later start times are a meaningful public health intervention with measurable mental health benefits.
Teen driver crashes spike in the early morning hours. A Virginia study found a 16.5% reduction in teen crash rates in a county after schools delayed start times, compared to a neighboring county that did not.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and CDC all recommend that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 AM.
A RAND Corporation analysis found that if all U.S. schools shifted to 8:30 AM start times, the economic benefit could reach $83 billion within a decade — through improved productivity, reduced accidents, and better health outcomes.
"The evidence strongly implicates earlier school start times as a key modifiable contributor to insufficient sleep, as well as circadian rhythm disruption, in this population."
Start School Later Bloomfield isn't just raising awareness — we're building the evidence base, engaging district leadership, and creating the political will to make change happen.
Start School Later Bloomfield established as an official chapter of the national organization, based in Bloomfield, NJ.
Wrote Shifting the Bell — a comprehensive ~6,000-word evidence-based white paper covering circadian biology, academic outcomes, safety data, and economic modeling.
Chapter lead joined the New Jersey AAP Task Force on Adolescent Sleep and School Start Times, elevating Bloomfield's advocacy to the state level.
Ongoing meetings with Assistant Superintendent Joseph Fleres. Submitted a comprehensive policy brief with a phased implementation proposal and formal Task Force endorsement.
Engaged with the offices of Assemblyman Michael Venezia, Senator Vin Gopal, and more to advance state-level support for later school start times.
Change happens when enough people demand it. Here's how you can help — whether you're a student, parent, or community member.
Our Change.org petition goes directly to Bloomfield district leadership. Every signature adds to the mandate for change.
Sign on Change.org ↗Board members respond to constituent pressure. Click below to open a pre-drafted email to all Bloomfield Board of Education members — just add your name before sending.
Share this page with classmates, parents, and neighbors. The more voices we have, the harder it is for the district to ignore us.
Students and parents can join Start School Later Bloomfield. Members get access to resources, meetings, and advocacy tools.
Get Involved →Our white paper Shifting the Bell is a comprehensive, evidence-based case for change — built for administrators, board members, and the press.
Request the White Paper →Come to a Bloomfield Board of Education meeting and speak during public comment. We can provide resources and talking points to help you prepare.
Contact Us →Start School Later Bloomfield is the official Bloomfield, NJ chapter of the national Start School Later organization — a nonprofit dedicated to advancing healthy school hours across the country.
Our chapter was founded and is led by students in Bloomfield, with support from medical professionals, community members, and state-level advocates. We combine grassroots organizing with rigorous research and formal engagement with district and legislative leadership.
We're not just asking for change — we're building the infrastructure to make it impossible to ignore.
Nate is a sophomore at Bloomfield High School and the founder of Start School Later Bloomfield. He serves on the New Jersey AAP Task Force on Adolescent Sleep and School Start Times, representing the student perspective alongside physicians and researchers.
A volunteer with a local Ambulance and Rescue Squad currently in EMT training, and an emergency department volunteer, Nate brings both hands-on healthcare experience and a deep commitment to community wellbeing to this work.
Whether you're a student who wants to get involved, a parent who wants to help, a reporter looking for information, or a district official with questions — reach out.