MILFORD, Mich. – They’ve done their homework and they’re ready for change.

A group of Huron Valley Schools’ students say it’s time for school to start later in the day.

The students believe later start times are better for their health and learning capabilities and they’ve got the research to back it up.

Eighth graders from Oak Valley Middle School presented their findings to the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education and cited numerous sources for their research.

Their research included information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Sleep Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Education Association.

“We as a group are all concerned about hour high school times which start absurdly early,” Liam White said. “Over 44 states have already changed their start times.”

The boys researched the issue and found that later start times can have positive effects on students.

“It promotes academic success,” Luke Aman said. “It reduces tardiness and dropout rates.”

The high school students in the Huron Valley District have started at 7 a.m. for more than 40 years. The boys started an online petition to get the community on board.

“We’re not trying to change this for our own good,” Brandon Werner said. “We’re trying to change it for everybody’s good because the times they start now are unhealthy.”

Their online petition is available here.

