Is it any better for them to leave school in the dark? Isn't it just the same thing?
yes, it is. you're already awake and unlikely to fall asleep at that point.
waking up for school is hard enough without the sun being up.
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/school-and-sleep/later-schoo...
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-livin...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/teenage-sleep-remote-l...