Not only did it make their day easier, but it allowed them to stay alert and focused during class. A later start time would improve the quality of students' lives. Naturally, when students are more alert, they are more likely to learn. According to the study in Seattle, students in biology class showed significant improvements in their scores when allowed to start school later. On average, students with the later start times were able to earn "grades that were 4.5% higher" (Neighmond). That percentage is a big enough difference to raise the letter grades of almost half of all students. Academic success provides students with more opportunities beyond high school. If starting school later provides students with a boost this significant, it appears that starting school too early is holding many students back. Although a later start time would improve student life on many levels, it would also create new challenges. This especially holds true for students who engage in after-school activities. Obviously, starting school later also means finishing school later. Inevitably, after-school activities will also start and finish