As someone who grew up in Michigan the "both ways" claim seemed odd and upon checking unless "nothern part of the US" includes Alaska/the arctic circle (which seems a bit unfair) that doesn't seem true.
The shortest day for the absolute northernmost point in the continental US has sunrise just before 8:00 am and sunset just after 4:30 pm. With most schools starting at 7:30 and ending at 2:30 it works out for one way adjustment or not. I remember trying to get kids in extracurriculars heading home by sunset was actually a goal of scheduling but obviously that's not always possible particularly during in season due to the extra travel time prior to the game.
