OT: Single-gender education? thoughts & opinions

[mjantz]

This year I interviewed for a position at an all-girls school. I didn't get it (its OK, I promise) but in reading up on the school I was very impressed. I'm now considering putting my DD in there for HS (we have several years as she's only 7). However, because I have to see all sides backwards & forwards, I wanted some opinions on single-gender education. The biggest one I've heard is that kids who are only around the same gender at school can have problems with the opposite sex. I see their point but:

1. I was in a mixed gender environment & I had terrible problems with the opposite sex as a teen.
2. She has an older brother & we're active in our church so I'm sure she'll be around boys her age.

So, please allow me to pick your brains. Thanks!

 

[gladstoneganderfan]

I went to an all girls school from 10th grade the to graduation. Personally, I loved it. It was a joy not having to have the pressure of boys & hormones while I was at school. The all boys school was our sister school, so there was some male interaction, maybe 3-5 times a year.

As far as having problems around the opposite sex, the girls I went to school with had no problem getting dates and boyfriends. We had our share of wild girls & prudes & everything in between. It was very much like the co-ed schools in town.

 

[lemondog]

I went to an all-girl high school and absolutely LOVED it! Was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Research has also shown that girls at all-girl schools do better in math/sciences, and also are more likely to become leaders. I am planning in sending all 3 of my girls to an all-girl high school...actually, the same one I went to (assuming we still live here).

 

[Wendy*Darling]

I serve on the Advisory Council for my kids school. We have spent quite a bit of time discussing doing single gender only for math and science starting in the 3rd grade. Research has shown that boys and girls learn these subjects differently and that scores are, on the whole, better for both when divided by gender. Speaking to teachers at a school that does this they say the girls are less afraid to ask questions and the boys are less rowdy and more focused.

It's definitely worth considering!

 

[cogero]

I have several friends who went to all girls and all boys schools for high school and each and every one loved it.

My DH went to an all boys high school and still says it was one of the best experiences in his life. I think it has to do with less distractions too.

 

[Missin'Disney]

I personally went to co-ed public school, and those boys were a constant distraction from the actual purpose of school. I would love to send our girls to an all-girl school, however the options in my area are limited to one Catholic school. Also, my public school is ranked as one of the best high schools in the U.S. so to forgo it wouldn't be in our best interest either - but I do love the idea of separating out the sexes for math and science classes. To bad I have zero pull with the board of ed

 

[DVC Sadie]

I went to an all girls boarding school and loved everything about the experience. It really helped me to focus on my studies but yet allowed me the opportunity to interact with the boys from our brother school.

 

[LisaInNc]

I went to an all girl HS and I loved it I would send my DD in a heartbeat if only we had one in our area.

There was a lot less pressue without boys. Not as much pressure about what we looked like, no fighting over boys, the focus was on good grades and less about boys. You were not distracted by a cute boy in class!

We all interacted with boys plenty. We had dances, we had a brother school whom we teamed up with for musicals and marching band.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

I went to all-girls high school & it was the best experience - I ditto the other posters- there was no pressure from the boys. We saw them socially which was fine. It was a great experience. The all-girls schools in our areas are outstanding.

 

[Erin13178]

I went to a school where we had both boys and girls. I agree boys can be a huge distraction, and I'm all for separating boys and girls for classes like math and science. I mean here in middle and high school the classes are already separated for gym and health, so how hard would it be to separate two more? I seriously hope they do that by the time my dd (4) is in the upper grades.

 

[luvmy3]

I went to a co-ed Catholic highschool, but I almost went to an all girl Catholic school. When the girl's school closeed a few of the students transferred to my school. 2 of the girls were pregnant at the time
I'm not saying that its because they went to an all girl school, I just find it a bit ironic that the only students in my graduating class that were preggos came from an all girl school.
If you send your dd there for a better education then great, but if you are doing it to keep her from all the peer presure, it still exists no matter where they go.

 

[holden]

I also went to an all girls school and I loved it. No pressure about how you looked (we wore uniforms anyway) and what boys thought about you. We did ride the bus with the boys, but the schools were seperate (right next to each other joined by a courtyard).

I didn't have any problems socializing with the boys either. In fact, that's how I met DH! We rode the bus together.

I think we will send our DD to an all girls school for high school. I had such a positive experience there that I'd like to give her the same opportunity.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Ds15 will be starting his sophomore year at an all-boys school this fall. He's had great experiences so far (and is ranked 3 out of 297, btw ). Plenty of interaction with girls, at least for him, as he has first period Wind Ensemble with girls from two different all-girls schools and is in Marching Band with girls as well.

Dd13 is considering one of the all-girls schools in her high school choice decision for 2009.