The start of the school day in North Dakota is being applauded by the American Academy of Pediatrics, stating the school bell starting the day should not ring before 8:30 AM.

Last year the group published a statement urging secondary schools to start no earlier than 8:30 AM. North Dakota is only one of two states to follow that suggestion, the other is Alaska. In the state 78.5% of secondary schools start at or after 8:30 with an average start time of 8:31, in Alaska the start time average is 8:33AM.

The benefit is more sleep for kids. Without enough rest, kids are more likely to be overweight, engaging in risky activities like drinking and drugs not to mention poor academic scores.

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Fargo schools start at 8:40 and 8:50 for middle schools and high schools start between 7:45 and 8:50. In Minnesota, the average start time is 8:18 to 8:30AM.

The report uses data from the 2011-12 Schools and Staffing Survey.

 

 

 

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