Early leave vs. late start, which is better? Having the luxury of being able to skip part of school is something that many students experience every day. As long as you have a ride, this is an opportunity that you can’t miss out on. The argument here however is not about if missing school is a good thing, but instead about when you miss it. Early leave allows for students to get out early and miss periods 8 and/or 9. On the other hand, late start gives more time to sleep in and miss periods 1 and/or 2. This can create some controversy as great arguments can be made for both sides. 

Let’s start with early leave. Early leave is the popular choice among students who like finishing their work early. While waking up at the regular time may feel exhausting, it’s nice to know that you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your afternoon after a long day at school. Another reason you may prefer early leave can be skipping the infuriating high school traffic at the end of the day. 

The case for late start is even simpler. There’s nothing better than waking up late on a school day and feeling more refreshed than ever. Getting more sleep simply just improves your ability to focus and succeed throughout the day. Jaelen Patel (11) stated, “I think late start is the better program because it allows students to get more sleep. As a result of the extra sleep, students will be more likely to pay attention in their classes and put their best foot forward.”

There is really no right choice and students will always have their opinion on the topic. Whether you’re getting into school late or leaving early a shortened day is always better than a normal one. So next time you have one of these opportunities, think about which one you would rather have.

This article previously ran in the April print edition.