When the kids were toddlers and pre-schoolers, my mom's group motto was that bedtime began with the afternoon nap. Now years later, after-school time can impact bedtime. I don't recall how old your children are, but even with teens look at how they come home, what happens when they walk in the door, how and when they do homework, eat dinner and snacks, handle any other responsibilities (practicing music or physical activity, doing dishes or laundry, walking the dog, etc), and include some relaxation in there (which might coincide with snacks or dog-walking)
We find that as much of a routine as possible in the evening, along with planning the morning departure (how they get to school, what they are wearing, is it their day to roll out the trash cans, lunch arrangements, getting the big science project to school, etc) helps them get to bed a bit earlier, but more important than early, a bit more routinely, so that morning comes as expected, not as an intrusion (well, not as much, anyway)
Not to say that you should run a military academy, everything timed to the minute. It's more about the progression, guiding the way to lights out.
Predictable evenings lead to calmer mornings.
