Research suggests that teenagers and mornings don't mix

Starting as early as next fall, students at one Toronto high school will have the luxury of sleeping in, with classes beginning as late as 11:30 a.m. – or about 2 1/2 hours after teens in the rest of the city.

... "There's been a lot of research on the adolescent brain ... that indicates kids' brain patterns are such that the early morning is not an optimal time," she said. It's not that high school students are lazy. During the teen years, the chemical responsible for sleepiness is secreted later at night and turns off later in the morning, leading to a "sleep phase delay."

... U.S. studies on late-start schools have found fewer dropouts, less absenteeism and better grades. Teens also say they eat breakfast more often and feel more alert. (from an article in the Toronto Star)

I wonder if this phenomenon sticks around throughout part of the twenties as well. I guess it must be further confirmation that a certain individual in high school who wore an "I don't do mornings" t-shirt but really did do mornings really was a little odd.