GOSSAU, Switzerland – A Swiss secondary school’s experiment with flexible start times has yielded significant improvements in adolescent sleep, mental well-being, and academic performance, according to a new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that traditional school schedules are misaligned with the biological needs of teenagers.
Three years ago, Gossau Upper Secondary School in the canton of St. Gallen introduced a system allowing students to choose between a 7:30 a.m. Or 8:30 a.m. Start, with modules offered throughout the day. Researchers from the University of Zurich and the University Children’s Hospital Zurich tracked the impact of this change, surveying students before and after its implementation.
The study, led by Joëlle Albrecht, found that 95% of students opted for the later start time, shifting their wake-up time by an average of 40 minutes. This resulted in an average increase of 45 minutes of sleep on school nights, without altering bedtimes. “The students reported fewer problems falling asleep, and health-related quality of life increased,” Albrecht stated.
Beyond sleep duration, the flexible schedule correlated with measurable improvements in academic outcomes. Objective learning results in English and mathematics showed gains compared to previous cantonal test scores. The research team evaluated 754 student responses in total.
The findings come as concerns about adolescent mental health continue to rise. A 2022 study by the Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan) revealed that 47% of Swiss adolescents aged 11 to 15 experienced recurring or chronic psycho-affective complaints, including sadness, fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Co-author Reto Huber argues that adjusting school schedules could be a crucial step in addressing this crisis. “Starting classes later in the morning can therefore significantly contribute to addressing the current mental health crisis among pupils,” he said.
Oskar Jenni, a developmental pediatrician and co-author of the study, explained the biological basis for these findings. “Adolescent sleep biology prevents them from falling asleep early enough to meet their sleep needs,” Jenni said. “So starting school later in the morning could have significant positive effects.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also highlighted the increasing rates of poor mental health among adolescents, noting that 40% of students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023. The CDC data also showed that 20% of students seriously considered suicide and nearly 1 in 10 attempted suicide.
While research on the benefits of later school start times is growing, the study highlights a gap in understanding the effectiveness of flexible models that allow students to choose their schedules. The researchers are continuing to monitor the long-term effects of the Gossau Upper Secondary School’s program.