BENEFIT OF ALL GIRLS SCHOOL

"It is important that girls, while they are still growing physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and spiritually, be served in a context that encourages and supports their expression. They need to have the opportunity, easily available not just hard-won, to risk self-expression as scholars, athletes, artists, and leaders, until their competence leads to the confidence not only to express themselves but also to comfortably sustain their perspectives when they are challenged by boys and men." - Burch Ford (former President of the NCGS Board of Trustees)

Benefits of Girls Only Schools

1. An all-girls school can create an atmosphere that counteracts the negative influence of mass media and their often-troubling depictions of women and girls.
2. All-girls schools typically have a magic blend of caring and challenge.
3. The students are exposed to strong female role models.
4. The focus in all-girls schools is on academics, not appearance. The focus is on community, not cliques.
5. Students in single-sex schools perform 15 to 22 percentile points better on standardized tests than students in co-ed schools. (Australia)
6. In a girls-only classroom, girls are freer to participate in class discussions that tend to be dominated by boys in co-ed classrooms. They get opportunities for educational risk-taking.
7. Although girls are typically better at verbal and written skills, an all-girls school helps them develop strong interest and excel in math, science and technology.
8. In all-girls schools, girls hold all the leadership positions, from the science club to drama, to Student Council, to sports and athletic endeavours. They also learn team-building skills. As a result, they develop strong self-esteem, which is an asset for life.
9. In a girls-only school, the girls do not have to live up to expectations that they must be nice, quiet, non-athletic and passive

DIFFERENCE IN LEARNING STYLES

Boys and girls differ in how they develop physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. Furthermore, research has shown that female and male brains are programmed for different learning styles. Female brains use both sides of the brain to process information, which results in more attention to detail, excellent language and speaking skills, and strong ability to multi-task. In contrast, men tend to naturally excel in problem-solving subjects like math and science.

In the traditional co-ed school environment, teachers predominately focus on engaging the interest and participation of the boys in order to balance the dynamics of the classroom. In these conditions, the girls are not receiving the same attention they require to excel in subjects that they are not naturally strong in. In a same-sex school, educators focus on engaging girls in activities to develop their motor skills and strategic thinking. Girls develop improved confidence, a strong sense of self, and become willing to strive for the best.

READING RESOURCES

Here are a few reading resources for those who would like to learn more about the benefits of same-sex education for girls.

• In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development - Carol Gilligan
• Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America - American Association of University Women
• Failing at Fairness: How Schools Shortchange Girls - Myra and David Sadker
• Girls and Boys in School: Together or Separate? - Cornelius Riordan
• Same, Different, Equal: Rethinking Single-Sex Schooling - Dr. Rosemary C. Salomone
• Girls Will Be Girls: Raising Confident and Courageous Daughters -  JoAnn Deak
• All Girls: Single-Sex Education and Why It Matters - Karen Stabiner
• National Coalition of Girls' Schools