He does have a routine, but we'll try and work on the no computers 90 minutes prior to bedtime. He mentioned he'd like to eat earlier as you say at 6, sometimes he doesn't get home from practice until 6:30. Thanks for all the suggestions.

A hot shower after dinner or homework (whichever comes last) and a cup of Sleepytime (or Tension Tamer)tea by Celestial Teas should relax him enough to allow him to fall asleep and sleep through the night. The tea is herbal and not addictive. I've given to my children as young as three.

It might help for your son to have a transition time before sleep. An established routine is not only helpful for young children, but for older ones and adults as well. Usually a tub or shower sets the stage for sleep. Activities should be slowing down. Maybe a good book or book tape to listen to. Lights need to be off by 9 -Definitely no computers after 8.
This means your son should have dinner no later than 6. Early days are difficult. The more structured your precious time after school, the more likely he will settle into a rhythm.
Remember, there are only so many hours in a day. Especially during the winter months when days are so shorten, it is important to monitor activities and schedules. By spring, kids seem to do much better - because the days are longer.

I just came across this interesting article on childhood insomia. Here's a quick excerpt:

Teenagers should avoid using phones and computers 90 minutes to two hours before bed and should not exercise two hours before bed, said Dr. Raanan Arens, chief of the division of respiratory and sleep medicine at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx.

Here's the link to the full article: www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/health/healthspecial2/15insomnia.html?_r=1&ref=healthspecial2

I do think that's what is happening. I don't know how to help him turn it off at night, but we'll work on calming routines and the like.

Finding appropriate kids that think like him is harder because we live in a small town away from the city, but I'm sure some solution will pop up. Thanks for the help.

Great! Your son likes the school and the academic is what he needs. Some bright children are often excited about new things or new materials and that make their mind wanders at night.

My daughter losses sleep any time her enrichment program introduces new materials or have an interesting guest speaker or when she finds new information from somewhere.

Chess or science club in a public library or museum attracts mostly advanced students who think alike and outside the box. You son is not alone, but needs frequent positive encourage from everyone.

It is "cool" to be bright and best wishes to you and your son.

Thanks for the different responses. Son LOVES the curriculum at this school. It is him to a T. Very very small school, only 14 in his class and it's k-12 but he just came in 9th. If I took him to school, I'd miss my daughter off to school. Part of the key is a good nights sleep for him, he does exercise (basketball practice), but doesn't particularly enjoy the hoops and is conflicted about that because of commitment he made. He's has some trouble socially because he's very smart and isn't interested in what the majority of kids talk about, although he's very easy to talk to and has a good sense of humor. His teachers are all fond of him and think he fits in well at school. His personality and intellect is more appreciated by adults. Doesn't really have a group of friends to hang with, although really enjoyed going to church youth group thru the summer, but doesn't have time now, due to hoops. I should perhaps talk with his teacher/coach about quitting hoops, but the team needs him... When he sleeps well, not a problem, but he's still waking up a few times a night and before his alarm.

Okay, this isn't going to be a popular answer, but...
WHY
does he have to catch the bus at 6:20? A.M.?
He has to get up at 5:30? A. M.?
That's in the middle of the night.
(My oldest boy goes out of the house at 7:45 to walk to school and sometimes the rest of the family isn't even awake then. He grabs $3 from the lunch dollar stash and then walks to school)
What is the Start Time for his school? Another question: Are there any schools in the area, that you've checked out, that could accomodate a more "teen-friendly" level of biorhythms or awakedness time schedule? Sometimes you'll find that if you actually visit and check out the local public schools, you'll feel more like it's a place that matches what you need.

kids learn to cope and deal with what they have to deal with in different ways, he may not be telling you that he is dead tired and needs a break. He may just be telling you what you want to hear. i agree with the others maybe you need to take him to school, the drive will give you both more time together to talk about his school life. also does he have a social life, friends to hang out with, or you know just be a kid/teen.

Our public school High school students catch their bus at 6.20, middle schoolers at 6.40, and elementary at 7.40 and 8.10.

Is your son complaining or unhappy? Is this routine affects any aspect of his life or the family. Help your son put away all distractions from his bed room and around the house.

Any form of exercise and taking a bath before bed is likely to help him fails asleep easily. I think cutting some of his after school program is something he may wants to considered and he needs study time at home to catch with school work.

I think eight or nine hours of sleep is OK and he needs extra hours of sleep on Saturdays. Talk with your son on how life works and possible in future he may be in a profession that work starts at 5.30 or 6 am or 12am. Remember, your son is observing you and watching your action closely, so remind him of the positive things about this situation.

He will be fine!

Part of what you're dealing with is he's going against his circadian rhythm. Studies have long showed that teens have internal clocks that skew later than adults. Essentially, they're prone to stay up later and sleep in later. Unfortunately, he's got to get through the day since that's the schedule he's got (and once he gets to college, he really can choose classes that don't start so early, but you're trying to deal with today, not a few years from now, soo.....)

Because he keeps waking up, see if there's something you can do for him--maybe getting one of those "white noise" machines. And he needs to find a ritual--whether it's yoga, doing his homework earlier, or something to get him to bed earlier.

The other, far less popular solution was one I used in college and my son is using since he's got swim practice at 6 am, and he has a class that doesn't end until 10 pm--a quick nap works wonders for refueling the human battery.

For more on circadian rhythms and kids, visit: www.geiscollection.com/biointeractive/clocks/fall/teenagers.html

His grades are OK for the humongous transition from a mediocre school to a really challenging one. The homework is incredible, but he's managing. The idea about yoga and calming exercises is really good. We have some yoga tapes, maybe I'll suggest them.

His computer is in his room and it is off when he goes to bed at 9 or so. He's a gifted kid and is doing all in his power to step up to the plate at his school and i'm satisfied with his work. The problem is getting to sleep and staying asleep. I will talk with his doctor. Thanks for all the suggestions.

i agree with laura and tobby,it would be better to drop him to school on your way to work.6:20 is to early to catch the bus.

You might want to take your son to the doctor to get a recommendation on how to handle his sleeping issues.

In the meantime, maybe practicing some calming activities, like reading, deep breathing or yoga-type exercises may help.

Since your son likes to use the web, maybe doing so when he comes home from school, rather than before bed might work.

Also, if your son is stressed about homework, is it the amount of homework, or the content of the homework? How is he doing in school? What are his grades like? This is his first year of high school, and this can be pretty stressing for most students.

Is his computer is in his room?, believe me, if that is the case, then, that is why your child is not getting enought sleep during night time, my daughter's best friend, her mom put a computer in her room and she goes to bed almost when it is time to wake up, she stays playing on this kind of game and chating with other players all night, her mom doesn't know this, my daughter told me about it, if this is not your case, reading a good book might make the trick, if he likes to read.

No he's really going to bed at 9pm. Sometimes he's tried to go to bed at 8 to try and fall asleep by 9, but 8 isn't really practical with his schedule. I mentioned he gets on the net to look at something amusing before bed to sort of settle down, but I've heard that any kind of computers or games may be stimulating, so perhaps that's a bad idea. He doesn't know why he awakens, but I suspect its partly due to stress. He often says that when he goes to bed, he's stressed out about the need to get enough sleep and just from his history, when he goes to bed tired, too late or anxious, he doesn't sleep well. Thank you.

Unfortunately, I don't work in that direction, but I do take him if he asks me to so he can get some extra sleep before tests. I'd be really interested in suggestions regarding getting to sleep when he goes to bed and staying asleep. Thank you.

Have you asked your son why he wakes up during the night? Has he always had trouble staying asleep at night?

It sounds like he's not really getting to bed at 9:00 p.m., but rather getting on the internet at 9 p.m.

If you could provide additional information on his sleeping issues, that would be helpful.

I agree with laura1967, it will be better if you drop him to school by car.

I see you work. Would it be possible, to drop him off on your way to work, 6:20am, is "really", early....laura