Local school districts mull later start time

BARRINGTON, Ill. (FOX 32 News) - A sleepy brain can't learn, that's the theory behind why students should start school later in the morning.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is on board and recommends middle and high school students start classes at 8:30 a.m. or later. 

And now, three local school districts are mulling the recommendation and considering pushing their start times back. For example,  Barrington’s district 220 is currently considering a plan that would have high schoolers start at 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m., and middle school would start at 8:50 a.m. 

Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Sleep Disorders Center, joined us LIVE on GDC Thursday morning to explain the benefits of starting school later.