In Manatee County, some students now have to set their alarm clocks earlier than ever to go to school.
School is now starting 15 minutes earlier at Bayshore, Palmetto and Southeast high schools.
“I thought it was really early,” Bayshore High junior Alexus Norman said. “It was hard to wake up this morning, but I still got here on time.”
The schools now start at 7:30 a.m. instead of 7:45 a.m.
“It was harder, because it was harder to wake up,” Bayshore High senior Elliott Walton said. "But I’m going to get used to it.”
Students at Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and Manatee high schools will continue to go to class starting at 7:45 a.m.
Bayshore principal David Underhill said the reason for the change is to help with scheduling and to improve academics.
“We didn’t need it for time in between classes like Palmetto did," said Underhill. “They needed it to extend the day, because they’re going to a seven-period day. They really needed it to get enough minutes in. For us, we had an opportunity to put more time in our classes and for our students that’s always a benefit.”
Underhill said while it may seem difficult for now, in time, everyone will get used to it.
“It’s 15 minutes from where we were last year,” said Underhill. “It does feel a little earlier. But as teachers and students get used to their start time and finish time, it will become routine just like anything else.”
This year, the district is expecting approximately 1,000 more students. Currently there are approximately 48,000 students in the Manatee County School District.