> there's a lot to be said for not having the first 45 minutes of the school day take place in the dark

Is there?

There's something to be said for the walk to school, for those that actually walk.

And there's also something to be said for having sunlight while waking up, with the huge caveat that the current DST system does not accomplish this.

But once they're at school? Why does it matter if it's dark outside during first period?