February 2026​

BSD Later School Start Times Parent Survey Is OPEN!
Now’s the time to share your voice. 

(The 4-minute survey closes on Tuesday, 2/24!)

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Here's What's Happening:
Boise School District is considering later school start times for tweens and teens—and they want to hear from parents, staff, and students through this survey.

 

Please complete one survey per child; BSD students and staff should use their BSD email.

 

Why? 

Many tweens and teens are experiencing chronic sleep deprivation—and it's not just about screens. Teen brains are biologically wired to fall asleep and wake up later—making early school start times a mismatch for learning and well-being.

 

The Science-Backed Solution:
Every major national health organization agrees: junior high and high school students do best when school starts at 8:30 a.m. or later. Districts that make this shift see more rested kids, better focus, improved mental health, and fewer daily struggles—for students and families alike.

 

Commissioned by BSD, an analysis by the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance (2025) reviewed national research, outcomes from other school districts, and considered Boise-specific challenges, finding that the benefits for students and families outweigh the challenges—and recommend BSD move forward with this change.

 

What the research shows

With nearly 30 years of research, later start times are linked to:
 

• Better attendance and less tardiness 

• Higher graduation rates 

• Improved grades and test scores

• Better attention and focus in class

• Improved athletic performance

• Less anxiety and depression

• Lower levels of stress and irritability—for kids and families

 

Have Questions or Concerns?

That’s completely normal. Wondering how later start times might affect your family’s schedule? Requesting discussion sessions—like Q&As or town halls—helps families learn more, ask practical questions, share support or concerns, and work together on solutions, all while keeping kids’ health at the center.

 

Concerned About an Earlier Start for Elementary?

• This has been carefully studied. Research shows that starting a bit earlier has little to no impact on elementary students’ learning.

• Development matters. Younger children are generally able to fall asleep earlier, unlike teens—whose brains are naturally wired for later mornings.

• The biggest gains are for older students. Health organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association recommend later start times for middle and high school because of teen sleep needs.

• Elementary students tend to adjust well. Districts that have made this change report smooth transitions and positive engagement in elementary classrooms.

• It’s often the most workable approach. Shifting elementary start times is commonly chosen because it’s the most practical and cost-effective way to allow older students to start later.

 

Want to hear from families who’ve already been through this?

(We reached out and asked!) We’ve gathered parent testimonials from school districts in Colorado and Utah that have already transitioned to later start times—sharing what the change was like, what helped, and how their families adjusted.

 

What Helped Other Districts Succeed?
👉 Extensive & ongoing family education
👉 Plenty of school and community discussions
👉 Sharing information over time, in multiple ways—so families had time to understand the full impact on student health and learning

 

When families had space to learn and ask questions, the benefits became clearer—and communities were better able to work through challenges and find solutions together.

“Probably the most impactful thing I could do in my entire career – to help the most kids in our community – would be to get our school district to change school start times for teens.”
– Sara Bryn Morrow, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, Child and Family Specialist

Take this survey now and be part of this community-wide effort to support our kids.

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Take the Survey Now (This survey is closed now)
 

More resources:
 

• VIDEO: What Lack of Sleep Does to the Teenage Brain

• WEBSITE: StartSchoolLater.net

• AUDIO RECORDING: Dr. Morrow’s talk on sleep and kids

• READ: Healthy Sleep Matters - A Guide to developing healthy sleep habits

• READ: The Effects of More Sleep on Athletic Performance

• READ: Myths vs Reality: Cherry Creek School District Findings on Later Start Times