The School Bell Is Ringing REALLY Early in New Jersey, And 2 Ocean County Schools Are Among the Earliest

There’s early… and then there’s REALLY early, for some New Jersey high schools.

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Picture this: It’s still early in the morning, you’re barely awake, maybe grabbing a quick breakfast, and teenagers across New Jersey are already heading into school.

And I have to say, when I saw some of these school start times, my first thought was: Wow… that is EARLY!

Two Ocean County high schools are among the schools with some of the earliest morning bells.

Lakewood High School starts at 7:00 a.m.

And just a few minutes later, Lacey Township High School starts at 7:05 a.m.

That means some Ocean County students are already beginning their school day while many of us are still trying to wake up!

And Then There’s Pennsauken

Pennsauken High School takes the early morning bell even further.

The first bell is at 6:55 a.m. That is the time teachers are expected to report to their classrooms, thanks to nj.com.

Students aren't officially considered tardy until after the second bell at 7:10 a.m.

Still… 6:55 a.m.?!

I don't know about you, but that sounds awfully early for high school.

I remember back when I went to high school, the start time and bell rang at 8:30! Wow, I thought that was early.

Would You Have Been Ready for a 6:55 Bell?

Maybe you're someone who has always been an early riser.

Or maybe, like me, you would have looked at that alarm clock and thought, “There is NO way I'm getting up yet!”

There's something about seeing a school bell before 7 a.m. that just feels incredibly early, especially when you remember your own high school days.

And let's be honest, teenagers aren't exactly famous for jumping out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 5 or 6 in the morning!

But Here's the Good News

There is a little bit of a silver lining to those early mornings.

The earlier the school day starts, the earlier students and teachers can get out in the afternoon.

Lakewood High School's regular day runs from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while Lacey Township High School's regular hours are 7:05 a.m. to 1:35 p.m.

And that means there is still a good chunk of the afternoon left.

Homework, sports, activities, jobs, hanging out with friends, there's plenty of time left in the day once that final bell rings.

So maybe it's a trade-off.

Get up really early… and get out earlier.

But 6:55 A.M.? Come On! Wow! It definitely makes you wonder: What time are these students waking up?

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And what time are they getting on the bus? For parents, that's an early morning, too.

So, What Do You Think?

Is 7:00 a.m. an early school start?

What about 6:55 a.m.?

Would you rather start school at 6:55 or 7:00 a.m. and get out early, or start later and stay later?

Now that's a question I'd love to hear from parents, teachers and especially the students!