They are adolescents--and those who work with them must understand them, connect with them, and make learning relevant to their lives. This article looks at recent theories and educational practices identified as appropriate for supporting the educational learning experiences of students ages 12 to 15. In this article, the author also discusses, based on her own research, how Montessori secondary schools meet the developmental needs of their adolescent students by focusing as much on their social and emotional needs as they do on academic skills.