Single-sex education has long been lauded for providing girls, especially, academic opportunities to explore, experiment and realize their true intellectual abilities without the social and emotional pressures of a co-ed classroom.
In fact, organizations like the National Association of Single Sex Public Education suggest that single sex schools encourage the breakdown of traditional gender stereotypes, and a June 2005 study by Cambridge University reinforces the theory that girls’ performance in math and science-based courses improves significantly in single-sex educational settings.
Regardless of academic opportunities, however, many parents worry about the social and emotional implications of sending their daughter to single-sex boarding schools – especially if part of their objective is to help her build healthy social, emotional and behavioral skills.
And if you are worried about the implications of sending your daughter to boarding school, you probably share the same concerns as many parents faced with trying to find the right educational environment for their daughter – so it may be helpful to keep the following in mind as you make your decision: Girls in single-sex schools are…
- More confident. Single-sex settings in both day and boarding schools provide girls with a safe environment within which they can explore new interests and activities – without the social pressure of a co-ed setting. This kind of environment gives girls the opportunity to learn firsthand the value and rewards of stepping outside your “comfort zone.”
- More competitive. Girls in single-sex educational environments have the freedom to engage in athletic pursuits without the risk of social judgment (being labeled a “jock,” for example). As a result, they’re able to develop a healthy competitive spirit – and the personal skills that go along with working as part of a team or an individual contestant.
- More likely to thrive as independent, successful adults. Girls’ schools – especially girls’ boarding schools – are built entirely around their educational and pastoral needs. That means it’s easy for girls to find strong female role models as well as the personal and intellectual resources they need to make healthy transitions into the college environment and beyond.