Fri, 01 May 2026 08:55:44 +0000

Is Cincinnati Pulling the Plug on Early Starts? What Parents Must Know Now In recent years, Cincinnati public schools have sparked a growing conversation about early start times—prompting a critical question: Is Cincinnati pulling the plug on early school starts, and what should parents really know? With evolving research on adolescent sleep patterns and student well-being, districts across the nation are reevaluating morning schedules. Recent developments in Cincinnati suggest the city may be on the brink of significant changes that could reshape the school day—potentially delaying first periods to better align with biology and improve education outcomes. ### The Sleep Crisis Among Teens and Its Impact on Learning Teenagers naturally experience a biological shift in their circadian rhythm during puberty, making it harder for them to fall asleep before 11:00 PM and stay awake until 7:30 AM or later. Chronic sleep deprivation affects concentration, memory, emotional regulation, and academic performance. Studies link early school start times—often as early as 7:00 AM—to higher rates of absenteeism, lower test scores, and increased mental health struggles among students.