Most U.S. middle and high schools start too early — with an average start time of around 8:00 a.m., according to a new study. Some children's health organizations recommend that schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., to help teens get the sleep they need.
The study also found that school starts times varied greatly by state, with schools in Louisiana starting at 7:40 a.m., on average, and schools in Alaska starting at 8:33 a.m., on average.
The average start time for middle and high schools in each state is listed below. (In one state, Maryland, there was not enough information to determine the average start time.)
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Alabama: 7:49 a.m.
Alaska: 8:33 a.m.
Arizona: 8:03 a.m.
Arkansas: 8:01 a.m.
California: 8:07 a.m.
Colorado: 7:54 a.m.
Connecticut: 7:46 a.m.
Delaware: 7:42 a.m.
Florida: 8:17 am
Georgia : 8:09 a.m.
Hawaii: 8:03 a.m.
Idaho: 8:13 a.m.
Illinois: 8:13 a.m.
Indiana: 7:58 a.m.
Iowa: 8:23 a.m.
Kansas: 8:00 a.m.
Kentucky: 8:03 a.m.
Louisiana: 7:40 a.m.
Maine: 7:53 a.m.
Maryland: N/A
Massachusetts: 7:53 a.m.
Michigan: 7:54 a.m.
Minnesota: 8:18 a.m.
Mississippi: 7:47 a.m.
Missouri: 7:54 a.m.
Montana: 8:13 a.m.
Nebraska: 8:07 a.m.
Nevada: 7:51 a.m.
New Hampshire: 7:46 a.m.
New Jersey: 8:00 a.m.
New Mexico: 8:10 a.m.
New York: 7:59 a.m.
North Carolina: 8:03 a.m.
North Dakota: 8:31 a.m.
Ohio: 7:52 a.m.
Oklahoma: 8:10 a.m.
Oregon: 8:14 a.m.
Pennsylvania: 7:48 a.m.
Rhode Island: 7:50 a.m.
South Carolina: 8:03 a.m.
South Dakota: 8:13 a.m.
Tennessee: 7:57 a.m.
Texas: 8:05 a.m.
Utah: 8:05 a.m.
Vermont: 8:05 a.m.
Virginia: 8:04 a.m.
Washington: 8:08 a.m.
West Virginia: 7:54 a.m.
Wisconsin: 7:59 a.m.
Wyoming: 7:59 a.m.
Follow Rachael Rettner @RachaelRettner. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.
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