Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion same sex or co-ed?

I can't believe that I'm thinking of high school already (I feel like I'm still trying to sort out primary school). But alas, I feel that I can no longer bury my head in the sand. While I'm working on the 'keeping-my-options-open' philosophy, how will I know whether to go single sex or co-ed? It costs about $100 to put your name on a waiting list, so I don't want to put the girls' names EVERYWHERE if I can help it. But what to do? Where to go? ... jojo

I taught in a school that separated the boys and girls. The girls did great, they learn quicker, they are less fights. The boys on the other hand.... it's was bad.

I heard from other teachers that had more experience with single sex classes, that it's great for girls, but not for boys.

The all-boys classes need all-male teachers and more time for physical play as well as a curriculum that typically interests boys.

I'm not sure they need ALL their teachers to be male. I also wouldn't think that girls need ALL their teachers to be female, even in a single-sex school.

Some strong male role models, yes. A good portion of the teachers to be male, yes. But I think women who understand and appreciate boys--in all their forms--would be good to have on board, too.

I went to an all-girls Catholic high school (I'm not remotely religious myself) and *loved* it. It was smallish (about 600 students), which was just the right size for me. True, there was a shortage of classes (they wouldn't let me do an independent Chem 2 study, and there was no AP Chem at the time), but the atmosphere was amazing -- very supportive, very congenial, very welcoming. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Ex-h went to the all-boy high school in town and also had a great experience. They had more class offerings than we did, so he didn't run out of classes (I think they had closer to 1000 students at the time). They didn't have all male teachers, and it didn't seem to make a difference. They did have a fair number of male teachers, though, which is nice for teen boys.

I'm definitely considering single-sex education for ds6 when he gets to high school -- there is one nearby that looks promising, but it's a long way off! For grade school, I think I prefer co-ed, but high school is the time where the, um, stuff hits the fan socially, and I think having a single-sex environment cuts down on a lot of the peer pressure to conform at school.

Yes, this is what I have been told again and again.....the girls do best in an all girl school, but the boys do best in co-ed......so where do the boys go then?

We were driving past the all girls high school yesterday (myself and DD7), after just driving past the co-ed nearby, which I had pointed out to my daughter as being "great". As we drove past the girl school though, she said "Mum, what about that school there? Isn't it all girls?". I replied that yes, it was "Well, I want to go there then please, 'cos I am sick of the boys at school"

Steph

I went to an all girls cath. high school, and I really liked it, I had a few good friends and everyone was pretty nice. It was considered a very academically rigorous school, but after hearing about the school my dh attended, also catholic, I think the girls' school could have done more, created more opportunities for additional challenge. That was probably the only drawback and I imagine/hope you could work with a school on getting additional challenge as needed.

I do recall getting some good advice from one of the nuns teaching french; I asked what I could do to improve my grade in that class and she just said, "Well, you could consider studying."

We had an outstanding teacher for physics, the only male teacher that I recall. He was a retired Air Force Colonel, he was just fantastic with the subject and as a person. Of course there were several outstanding female teachers as well, some nuns some regular folks. Good school; it is unfortunately closed now.

Some interesting reading: "Why Gender Matters" by Leonard Sax - focus is mostly on the benefits to boys of boys only education especially in early elementary. The benefits to girls seems to be more in junior high years. He has a website too. www.whygendermatters.com

Another book... "Gender in Policy and Practice" is a compilation of articles mostly saying that there isn't a lot of evidence that single-sex education has many benefits except with kids with the typical high risk factors. It is very dry - I had a hard time staying interested in it so haven't made much progress on that book and can't give a much a recommendation but it did counter much of what Sax claimed.

My son and daughter attend single gender Catholic schools this year. Enrollment is not open which provides a form of ability grouping. Every class requires a lot of work and study. I am surprised by how many notes my daughter takes even in PE and the difficulty of my son�s tests, especially math (semester final was 90 alg1 problems in 90 minutes-no calculator), but we are really pleased with the equally strong education they are receiving.

The girls who attend my daughter�s small school have the same qualities I admire in her Girl Scout friends. Approximately 25% of the staff are male. I don�t believe there are currently any nuns as teachers. Aside from the rigorous academic curriculum, her school has a strong focus on the performing arts.

Actually, I believe the greater benefit from a single gender education may actually go to the boys. My son�s school has mostly male teachers who treat the boys differently than other teachers he has had �parts drill sergeant, coach, and mentor. All of the teachers have made a choice to work with boys and understand them well. I don�t think any of the teachers from their previous school favored working with boys over girls.

There are many single gender private high schools in this area. My son�s school hosts �mixers� quite frequently and they are very well attended by boys and many, many girls from other schools. My daughter and her friends always go to the high school parties at his school. The boys there have excellent social skills with the girls -at least in front of the mothers.