Think of single sex education as another option as you consider which school is the right one for your child.
When you think of single sex education as a choice or an option, the subject becomes a little easier to understand in the 21st century. Private schools have offered single sex education for decades. Indeed many of our older schools were founded with the purpose of educating boys or girls separately.
Characteristics of Single Sex Schools
What grades do they offer? Typically single sex schools are high schools offering grades 9 through 12/PG. There are a handful of single sex schools which offer the middle school grades 6 through 9. Even fewer schools offer PK-12. You will also notice that middle school grades go up to grade 9 and high school begins with grade 9 as well. Actually grade 10 is probably the most common entry point for private high schools. That’s one reason for the overlap.
Single sex schools come in both boarding and day versions. There are single sex religious schools, military schools and so on.
The Advantage of Single Sex Education
The proponents and opponents of single sex education have firmly-held views. I think it is fair to say that the actual research into the advantages and disadvantages of single sex education is pretty meagre. I list the primary sources for you to read in depth. That’s why I concluded long ago that single sex education needs to be thought of as a choice. It is not better than coeducation in my opinion. Nor is it worse. It is simply an option for us parents to keep in mind as we go through the process of choosing the best private school for our child.
Having said that, in my long career as a choir trainer in the Episcopal Church from 1969 to 1997 I had in depth experience working with boys and girls choirs. Hindsight reminds me that the boys were just as good musically as the girls and vice-versa. But then I expected nothing less. Those young people were rubbing shoulders with Bach, Mozart, Handel, Faure, Allegri and many other great composers. Great music deserved their best efforts. Their best efforts are what both boys and girls delivered.
Were there differences in the way they approached singing? Yes indeed. For starters it was not considered very masculine for a boy to sing. Period. The fix for that? I arranged for a couple of fine English choirs to give concerts. Suddenly the persuaders (parents) were showing up with sons in tow at audition time.
The tie in with single sex private schools? The approach is the same. Show young men and young women how to do things well and be people they never thought they could be. We teachers have that uncanny ability to observe a child and almost instantly visualize him or her 5, 10, 15 years down the road. We light the fire. We keep fanning those flames of learning and exploration until suddenly there’s that defining moment when she decides “I want to be Secretary of State” or he says “I want to be like Yo-Yo Ma” Then show them how to make those dreams come true.
Explore single sex school web sites. Visit the schools. You will hear them say that their school creates the right environment for a boy or girl to be all that he or she can be. That is admirable. And as you explore the option of sending your child to a single sex school, when you find a school which meets your requirements and truly is the best fit for your child, don’t give it another thought. Go for it. Remember: the only thing which matters in choosing a private school is to find the school where your child will be happy. The last thing you want is a miserable child who hates her school. Single sex or coeducational.
Quantifiable Results
Once again the research and data is limited. Do boys or girls get better test scores in a single sex setting? Some say yes. Some say no. I suggest that you look at data such as matriculation results. That’s a fancy way of saying “Where did their graduates go?” If they went to colleges and universities which you would like your child to attend, then there’s your answer.
A single sex school may be right for your child. But you will never know until you explore this private school option.
Choosing a School: 5 Must Haves Whether you are just beginning the process of choosing a private school or several months into it, make sure that you keep these five 'must haves' front and center in your thinking.
Choosing a School: 5 Must Haves Whether you are just beginning the process of choosing a private school or several months into it, make sure that you keep these five 'must haves' front and center in your thinking.
Single Sex Education at a Glance Think of single sex education as another option as you consider which school is the right one for your child.
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What is Really Important in Choosing a School? What is really important in choosing a private school? Ranks? Academics? Financial aid? Sports programs? Arts programs? One of these criteria doesn't matter. The others do.
Small Is Good Private schools offer individualized attention to their students because their class sizes are generally small.
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Do You Know....? If you know the answers to all these questions, you probably teach or work in a private school. Be that as it may, these questions contain links with the answers.
Boarding or Day School? Many parents agonize over sending their child to boarding school or keeping them at home and sending them to day school. A look at the pros and cons here.
When Should You Consider a Therapeutic School? It is a heart-stopping moment for any parent when you realize that your child needs much more help than you can give him at home and at his current school. Perhaps a therapeutic school is the answer.
Traditional vs Non-traditional Schools Early on in the process of choosing a private school for your child you need to decide whether to send her to a traditional or non-traditional school.
Single Sex or Coeducation? Sooner or later you ought to consider a single sex school as opposed to a traditional coeducational school. Why? For several reasons.
Don't Just Look at Price! Identifying schools which fit your requirements includes dealing with paying for that education. But don't just look at price.
When Should You Consider a Special Needs School? Dealing with the reality that your child has a learning difference can be a defining moment for many parents. So much is at stake. Special needs schools offer programs and highly trained faculty.
Why Ranking Schools Makes No Sense Journalists love to create lists because you and I love lists. But lists such as top ten private schools can be deceptive.
If We Did Rank Schools... Ranking private schools is almost impossible because it is so difficult to gather the data needed to compare statistics. If we did rank schools, this is how to do it.
Saving Time and Money Choosing a School The Internet has made finding schools and finding out more about them much more efficient than it was ten years ago.
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Evaluating and Choosing a Private School How should parents evaluate and choose a private school? Read about some helpful tips regarding this important decision.
Before You Spend $30k on Private School... Before you spend $30,000 or more on a year at private school for your child, you need to ask five questions and be guided by the answers you receive.
What Do Schools Say About Ranking? Ranks really don't matter. I have said that for years. But let's see what the schools have to say about the matter.
Is It Worth Using a Consultant? Here are the reasons why using the services of a professional educational consultant is worth it.
Choosing a Prep School Here's a recap of the steps you need to follow to find the right school for your child. Work through the process in sequence from beginning to end.
How Do They Teach? Part of evaluating the schools on your short list is examining how the teaching is done.
Technology in Private Schools Private schools use technology to support and enhance their academic programs. Most of them have been doing this since the early 1990's.
Open Houses You must visit schools on your short list. Open houses are an efficient way to do this. More on organizing this task here.
Sports Programs Sports are important in private schools. But they are also balanced properly by the emphasis on solid academics.
Why Private School? Is private school right for your child? Learn about the things you should consider and the unique benefits of a private school education.
Boarding or Day School? Many parents agonize over sending their child to boarding school or keeping them at home and sending them to day school. A look at the pros and cons here.
Seattle Area Schools The Seattle area is home to many fine private schools as well as to major companies such as Microsoft, Boeing and Starbucks.
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Choosing a School: 5 Must Haves Whether you are just beginning the process of choosing a private school or several months into it, make sure that you keep these five 'must haves' front and center in your thinking.
Marketing the Small Private School
Academic Excellence: Any Future with a C Average and No Skills?
