Sleep is essential for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children and adolescents. However, pressure from school and social schedules often leads to insufficient sleep, particularly among older students. Middle and high-school students frequently experience sleep deprivation due to biologically driven circadian rhythm changes that delay sleep onset during puberty. This shift, combined with early school start times, contributes to significant sleep deficits, adversely affecting academic performance, mental health, physical health, and safety. Ample evidence exists delineating short- and long-term benefits of adopting delayed school start times. Leading medical and advocacy organizations recommend school start times no earlier than 8:30 am for middle and high schoolers. Despite these recommendations, most U.S. schools start earlier, perpetuating the problem. There is an urgent need for widespread adoption of sleep-conscious public policies, such as delayed school start times, to promote healthier sleep habits among children and adolescents, ultimately fostering improved public health and academic outcomes.