Most teens in Seattle Public Schools get to sleep in this year - at least, relative to years past. After years of pressure from parents, teachers and sleep experts, the district flipped its bell times so that nearly all middle and high schools start at 8:45 a.m., and most elementary schools begin at 7:55 a.m. That's the opposite schedule from years past, when many elementary students didn't start until 9:30.

The changes were meant to fall more in line with children's biological clocks: To give teens, most of whom can't easily sleep before 11 p.m., the extra sleep they need in the morning, and to take advantage of early-rising young kids' prime morning learning hours.

"I’ve noticed that the mornings are a lot less stressful," said Kira Hoffman, an eighth-grader at Jane Addams Middle School. "I don’t feel super-rushed or worried about how much I’ve slept, or when I’m going to get to school, or if I’m going to be late." Once at school, Hoffman said, she also feels more focused in her first-period class.

At Whittier Elementary, performing arts teacher Steph Turner led a class in a rendition of "Good Day, Sunshine" as the children did warm-up stretches. "Last year, it felt like by the end of the day they were so tired," Turner said. "But now, with the earlier start time, they have a lot more energy, in a good way! I’ve definitely seen a change in just overall attention."

Turner is also the mom of two elementary-schoolers and says they’re adapting to the earlier start. "It’s pretty early for the teachers; I think the teachers are having the hardest time getting up that early," she laughed. "My own two children seem to be doing pretty OK."