BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are common in high school students. Despite the growing global attention to adolescent sleep issues, limited research has focused on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of high school students toward sleep disorders in China, where academic pressure is particularly high. This study addresses this gap by exploring the KAP of Chinese high school students toward sleep disorders, providing insights for targeted educational interventions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at six schools between November 10, 2023, and December 20, 2023. Demographic characteristics, the Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS), and the KAP scores of the participants were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 800 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean scores for the SRSS were 23.51 ± 6.18 (possible range: 10-50), for knowledge were 10.00 ± 4.84 (possible range: 0-18), for attitude were 35.53 ± 4.23 (possible range:9-45), and for practice were 28.85 ± 6.29 (possible range:8-40), respectively. The structural equation modeling (SEM) model demonstrated that sleep quality directly influenced knowledge (β = -0.154, p <
0.001), attitude (β = -0.169, p <
0.001), and practice (β = -0.356, p <
0.001). Knowledge also had a direct effect on attitude (β = 0.216, p <
0.001) and practice (β = 0.394, p <
0.001), and attitude directly affected practice (β = 0.141, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights significant knowledge gaps about sleep disorders among Chinese high school students, which could hinder their ability to manage these issues effectively. By focusing on this unique population under substantial academic pressure, the findings underscore the urgent need for tailored educational programs to promote better sleep habits and overall well-being. Educational interventions that enhance knowledge about sleep disorders should be implemented in high school curricula to bridge these gaps and improve sleep-related outcomes.