What are you thoughts on same sex schools? UPDATE POST 64

[DisneyScraps]

I went to an all girl Catholic school. I loved it. There wasn't a huge pressure on what we looked like, no boys to worry about. There was a cool about being a little slobby. There was a lot less distraction in class.

We had monthly dances that weer well attended. We also paired up with a local boys school for musicals and cheerleading, that type of thing.

I WISH I could give this kind of education to my DD but there isn't a segregated school anywhere near where we live.

Lisa

 

[scrapquitler]

I chose to go to a women's college, so I'm a little bit biased I think that a same sex school can be a wonderful thing, IF your daughter is on board with it. If she doesn't like the idea, it can be a disaster.

Good things:
There won't be all the drama about "how do I look and will that cute boy in Physics class think my outfit is hot?"
You won't get the "I'm too embarassed to let anyone know that I know the answer because I don't want that boy to think I'm too smart"
There's no "A boy should be the class president because boys are better at xyz"

But be aware: An all girls school doesn't mean that there will be isolation from boys. QUite the contrary, they are drawn to the girls school like flies to honey You'll probably see bunches of them hanging around after school or at activites in the afternoon.

 

[NotUrsula]

A comment on the social thing. What we are finding is that for kids that are somewhat socially awkward, the single-sex schools actually have an advantage. The schools feel that they don't want kids to miss out of dating, etc., so they actively take steps to create social opportunities for them to mix with the opposite sex, in the form of mixers and dances and such. They also coach kids to make those events better experiences (because the ticket sales tend to be a fundraiser -- no one wants to go to dud parties.)

At co-ed schools you are a lot more on your own in terms of meeting people and creating a social life.

Also, one other note, with regard to what a "private" Catholic school is. I have a feeling that posters on this thread may be speaking interchangeably of two entirely different types of school. All church-run schools are private in the sense that they are not financed by the state (at least in the US), but the Catholic Church has its own definition of a private Catholic school. They define it as one that is not supported by parish or Diocesan funds. Truly "private" religious schools are not under the control of the local Bishop, and are normally administered by a non-profit foundation and/or members of a particular religious order, such as the Christian Brothers, the Marianites of Holy Cross, the Visitation Sisters, or the Ursuline Sisters. They get their operating funds from tuition and from endowment funding. What that tends to mean in today's economy is that they will often actively court students from wealthy families, because they need those young ladies and gentlemen to grow up to become supporting Alumni. Of course, kids from humble backgrounds may also grow up to be able to donate large sums to the school, but it's not so much of a sure thing, nor is it as likely to garner large donations while that student is still a student, which may be case when wealthy parents and grandparents are involved.

 

[mommasita]

Update:

Results are in, and she did get accepted

She is extremely happy, as are we!!

 

[shelly3girls]

Congratulations!

 

[emma'smom]

As a graduate of one the only two all-female public high schools (at the time---before the new charter school movement that has brought more to fruition), I can only say that, if your daughter is on board, it will be an amazing experience for her!

Going to an all-female school meant:

(1) Many opportunities to take-on leadership roles and to develop those skills
(2) Development of character and pride in being a strong, capable intelligent woman
(3) Less focus on dating in the classroom environment
(4) Closer friendships with all kinds of different girls
(5) More opportunities to take higher-level math/science courses that weren't half-filled by boys (more (all) spaces for girls)
(6) A sense of "sisterhood" in supporting each other's success that has lasted throughout our lives


Some thoughts on dating and fashion:

Boys: I dated the same boy all through high-school. However, it was nice not to have to deal directly with the boy-drama at school. I still wore his school jacket, doodled his name all over my notebooks, gossiped about him, etc. ----but that drama didn't affect academics. They were two different worlds. Same for all the other girls--- Dating wasn't really an issue. We had school dances...etc.

Fashion: The fashion competition was fierce among these ladies. We didn't have uniforms, so there was a lot competition there.

When I got to college, I didn't go crazy at all. I was very driven and determined. I had pride in myself, had been prepared well to succeed, and the actual leadership experience/skills to jump right into things. I did socialize, of course, but not excessively.

 

[minniebeth]

Congratulations to you and your daughter, mommasita! That's wonderful news

 

[emma'smom]

Nope...only one of 2 PUBLIC all-female high schools in the country in the late 80's. Western High School in Baltimore and Girl's High in Philly were the only two left by the late 80s. You are right though that there were many more earlier...in Baltimore there were Eastern and Western High. By the late 80's...all but two had closed their doors or gone co-ed. I'm pleased that the tide has shifted to allow for more public, single-sex schooling options for those who see its value.

Do you mean the only 2 in your city?

I went to HS 35 years ago and all the HIgh schools=public & private were same sex schools in my large city

 

[mhsjax]

OP congrats. I do have to say that I was against all girl schools earlier in this post. And having just picked DD up from a party, I AM EVEN MORE SO. Girls, yuck. I hope DD hangs out with guys.

NOw, if I could stick DD in an all boys school fine. BUt no way in heck she would be going to an all girls school. Girls are nasty, and I am one. And none of the drama was directed at her, but she loves to tell me what goes on and, I also got the same story from the parents, so it is true.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess I just don't get it. If you have to go to an all girls school so you won't be focused on boys, then what do you do in college, what do you do when you get a job. Seems to me that on a Dis board filled with such it up and learn how to deal with stuff, that this is going against the grain.

I also don't understand this dumbing down because of boys. Some of the popular girls where the ones with a brain.

I would never let a boy dictate what I did and neither does my DD. So in short, I wouldn't let my DD go to an all girls school, she need to learn to deal with distraction, if there was any for her, and I don't think there will be.

Based on other threads and the homeschool community that I have been exposed to...

it seems that the middle to high school years are the worst when it comes to that stuff. Remove the temptation, and you can concentrate, I suppose. By college--you are over that hormonal hurdle of puberty.


**this is simply my guess, I have no study to quote, I am not yet the parent of a teen and with all the threads on sex and teens...it seems that middle to high school is a wild time to control urges.

However as for never letting a boy dictate--you don't have to willfully submit to that for their to be an impact on your education from being in a co-ed environment. That is something I have definitely read. It isn't necessarily that you are into cute boys and can't concentrate, but that girls statisticaly will learn better in a segregated environment. You can only do so much to combat the sexist nature of education. (on another note, I am not a feminist either, but there have been plenty written on the subject) It is one of those segretation situations that does have scientific backing.

 

[superme80]

Congrats!!!!

 

[mhsjax]

Based on other threads and the homeschool community that I have been exposed to...

it seems that the middle to high school years are the worst when it comes to that stuff. Remove the temptation, and you can concentrate, I suppose. By college--you are over that hormonal hurdle of puberty.


**this is simply my guess, I have no study to quote, I am not yet the parent of a teen and with all the threads on sex and teens...it seems that middle to high school is a wild time to control urges.

However as for never letting a boy dictate--you don't have to willfully submit to that for their to be an impact on your education from being in a co-ed environment. That is something I have definitely read. It isn't necessarily that you are into cute boys and can't concentrate, but that girls statisticaly will learn better in a segregated environment. You can only do so much to combat the sexist nature of education. (on another note, I am not a feminist either, but there have been plenty written on the subject) It is one of those segretation situations that does have scientific backing.

I agree with the last part, I have seen the studies on the news reports such as 20/20. However, I do believe that with girls in middle school, the distraction of "girl drama" far out weights the distraction or the sexist nature of education. So far both DD and DS are in all pre ap classes and I have witnessed no difference in the way that they are taught or what they are learning, (same teachers different year). I do know that MY dd will not put up with girl drama and it makes her crazy. They try and drag her in but she won't budge, and for her to be surrounded by girls IMHO would by far be more damaging for her education than being around boys. Again this is my experience and I am sure others have different, but I love my school system and they demand excellence for all sexes.

Just to note that the girl drama I have spoken about has 100% nothign to do with boys, it is just power plays for the most popular and who cna get a best friend away form another best friend, this is why I don't and won't put boys into the equation. They have nothing to do with the problem. It is girls causing the drama. Thankfully DD won't get involved and is still on very good terms with everyone, although they do try and drag her in.