This is due to their inherent biological cycles. More than any other age group, high school students are driven to different sleep patterns, yet in Alachua county they are required to sleep more than others. It has also been proven that concentration, coordination, and retention are reduced in people that fail to get adequete rest. This would cause a drop in academic and athletic performance that would reflect badly on the students in the eyes of employers and higher educational institutions. Low test scores would also reflect badly on the school district in which they learn.
Traffic is another concern.
Students who feel the need to sleep in late may avoid getting up early to take the bus by driving to school. Often these students sleep in so late and are in such a hurry to get to school that they speed down the streets at extreme speed, placing themselves at risk of accidents. The risk is compounded by the fact that they are often still half-asleep and groggy at the wheel, and school often begins so early that it is still dark. Questions about the viability of later school star times arise when one considers arrangements for extracurricular activities. However, I doubt that the sponsors of these activities appreciate having members who are tired and anxious to go home and take a nap so they will be able to stay awake long enough to do their homework.