Benefits of a One Gender School
So what is happening with single gender schools today? With more and more discussions around gender surfacing, you may be wondering if a single gender school is the right fit for your teenager. As you may already know, single sex schools have existed for centuries. There are all-girls and all-boys schools and all-boys military schools found across the United States.
Despite evidence that single gender academics could be beneficial to many students, some may regard the concept as out-dated, old fashioned, or even discriminatory. The purpose here, however, is not to evaluate the cons of single gender schools, but to point out some of the advantages of same gender schools. It is also worth noting that, both public and private schools have been quickly adopting policies to avoid gender-based discrimination and address gender identification.
Pros of Single Gender Schools
Based on research and reports from Forbes, U.S. News and Education Week, students in all-boys and all-girls schools could stand to gain more confidence, both academically and personally. In addition, it is also cited that students often achieve more in the scope of their college and career ambitions compared to their peers in co-educational schools.
Following are just some of the pros of single gender schools and how these schools may help girls thrive and learning can be geared for how boys learn.
1. Behavioral Environments are More Positive
- Classroom Behavior – Students in single-sex schools may have lower chances of struggling with behavioral issues because they give students more room to voice thoughts and opinions, work on team projects, and demonstrate leadership in the classroom.
- Distractions are Limited – By contrast, in co-educational schools, teenage boys and girls tend to distract each other far more. Teens are often more concerned with fitting into their prescribed roles and impressing others, rather than pursuing their own personal skills.
- Risk-Taking – In single-sex schools, students are often more willing to take risks and enjoy new challenges, because they don’t fear failing or floundering in front of the opposite sex. Indeed, single-sex graduates have even rated themselves as having higher levels of intellectual self-confidence, an attribute that is crucial for college and life success.
2. Tailored Learning
- Learning Geared to How Boys and Girls Learn – As critics might suggest, simply placing boys away from girls is unlikely to accomplish a great deal. However, the benefits arise when this separation allows for teachers to provide learning techniques tailored towards individual interests, needs and learning styles. In fact, one of the key arguments in favor of single-sex schools is that different genders may have different styles of learning.
- Content Designed to Appeal to One Gender – As a case in point, at Army and Navy Academy, an all-boys boarding school in California, teachers introduce a reading list with books that speak to the concerns of teenage boys. For instance, “Hamlet” generates a “coming-of-age” discussion about father-son relationships. Although similar discussions are possible in co-educational schools, discussions may be more open in single-sex schools.
3. Diversity in Self - Roles – Single gender education may allow students to pursue areas that appeal to them such as: class subjects, electives, leadership roles, clubs, and sports, without a concern for the opinions or perspectives of the opposite sex.
- Research also shows that single-sex education could allow students to explore a broader realm of future college and career prospects. For instance, listed by Niche under the 2025 Best All-Boys Boarding Schools, high schools like Mesivta of Greater Los Angeles, Tahoe Prep Academy, and Army and Navy Academy offer a broad range of offerings to ignite college and career interests.
- Leadership – In particular, U.S. military schools have a long history in single gender education for boys. Learning to lead, following a rigorous daily schedule, goal-setting, and facing physical challenges through leadership training motivates teenage boys to aim higher as they move toward manhood.
4. Countering Stereotypes
- Classes – Sometimes geared for just girls or boys, classes at single gender schools open doors in areas such as: science, technology, engineering, math and the visual and performing arts. For instance, some data from Harvard University suggests girls may perform better in math at same-gender schools.
- Co-Curriculars – Even co-curricular activities, clubs and sports break down stereotypes (e.g. cooking, gardening, aviation, journaling). In sports, boys and girls can make choices, become team captains, and achieve without the scrutiny of the opposite sex.
- Self-Care – At single-sex schools, especially boarding schools, self-care breaks down stereotypes (e.g. mental health, hygiene, appearance). Even at junior boarding schools, like St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim, these habits are emphasized at an early age.
- Manners and Etiquette – Often overlooked, both boys and girls cand and should practice good manners and proper etiquette. Single gender schools can be instrumental in helping students form these positive life habits that cultivate respect and civility in our society without gender bias.
- Peer Counseling and Tutoring – To dispel tendencies to classify and stereotype activities, peer counseling and peer tutoring can take place at both all-boys and all-girls schools.
- Character Development – Single gender schools may embrace a wide range of values including: honor, integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion and gratitude. These values are often emphasized at all-boys military academies such as: Army and Navy Academy (CA), Robert Land Academy (Canada), Fork Union Military Academy (VA), Missouri Military Academy (MO), Marine Military Academy (TX), and Riverside Prep Academy (GA).
As you can see from the many benefits cited in this article, there are valid single gender education advantages for both boys and girls. Although not right for every student, some families will choose to explore an all-girls or all-boys school. There are private day schools and boarding/day options at many single gender schools.
The renewed interest in single-gender education may be in part due to single gender school statistics and the current research into their benefits. Check out more articles below.
Resources:
- 5 Teaching Techniques that Work for Boys
- Pros and Cons of Single-Gender Schools, U.S. News
- Single-Sex Education: Putting the Arguments on the Table, Forbes
Need to Find an All-Boys Private School? Located on a beachfront campus in Southern California’s Carlsbad Village, Army and Navy Academy is a college preparatory school with boarding and day options. Geared exclusively for boys in grades 7-12, we are a model school for boys in middle school and high school and are ranked in the top five boarding schools in California.
Army & Navy Academy Admission Office:
Phone: 888-762-2338
