Single Sex Education: Pros/Cons?

[sbmama]

I apologize if there is another thread here already about this. If so, can you send me the link?

We're starting to look at preschools for ds#1, and our choices for non-religious schools in this area are limited. One of our possiblities is a co-ed 3 yr. old program, but then goes single sex for pre-k and up. Does anyone have any experience with single-sex education for kids this young? What did you like or not like? Or has anyone grappled with this choice -- what was your thinking about it?

Thanks for any insight or advice you can give.

Best,
Heidi

[FancyPants]

Well I went to an all girls school (it was Catholic tho). I liked it. I didn't really care that there were boys at all when I was little. From what I have noticed at my son's K, the boys tend to play mostly with the other boys and the girls mostly play other girls at this age anyway.

The good things were mostly in middle/high school:
no pressure to dress up in the mornings (actually we had uniforms and strict dress code, which was helpful)
no distractions from academics
I would have been more reticent to look foolish in front of boys at that age. I was much more comfortable speaking up and having an opinion in an all girls school.
more bathrooms

[Flor]

I went to a women's college (Mills College). I have read a ton on the benefits of single sex education for girls/women. to tell you the truth, I've pretty much read ZERO on the benefits for boys.

[mata]

single sex from high school on, here. Honestly, if I had that option for my dds I would grab it. But in our area it seems the genders clash at an early age and there's very little guidance (at school) given to help them learn to coexist.

[swimswamswum]

I also went to a Catholic all girls highschool. I loved it! It was actually the same school that my mom and her sisters attended .

Many of my friends from highschool are doing really interesting things in their adult lives. We were taught to stand up for our beliefs, to think for our selves, and to be self reliant. I would absolutely send my daughter to a school like mine.

[bobandjess99]

I chose to go to a women's college. I loved it. But, I'm not sure about at a young age...??

[wildmonkeys]

I think that there are many benefits for older boys as well as older girls/women. I think there might be some educational benefits for young boys as there has been a bunch of writing on how young boys develop some academic skills later (such as the fine motor skills associated with handwriting) and as such struggle with some expectations in coed classrooms. Though socially, I don't know about such young kids being seperated --- my ds is in 1rst grade and many of his best friends are still girls --- I can't imagine these past years without Sophia, Hannah & Grace as part of his life???

I doubt that was any help, sorry! BJ

[Leatherette]

Personally, I feel it is inappropriate for elementary school and wouldn't want it for my kids in high school, but am totally looking into it for middle school. I want my kids to date and have fun, but middle school is still pretty young, and a lot of kids get "lost" at that age. I would like them to focus on who they are in middle school and hopefully be more themselves and self-assured when they enter high school.

That said, middle school was fine for me, and I didn't date until 10th grade. But my friends were totally boy-crazy in middle school.

L.

[Flor]

Originally Posted by wildmonkeys

I think that there are many benefits for older boys as well as older girls/women. I think there might be some educational benefits for young boys as there has been a bunch of writing on how young boys develop some academic skills later (such as the fine motor skills associated with handwriting) and as such struggle with some expectations in coed classrooms. Though socially, I don't know about such young kids being seperated --- my ds is in 1rst grade and many of his best friends are still girls --- I can't imagine these past years without Sophia, Hannah & Grace as part of his life???

I doubt that was any help, sorry! BJ

I was thinking that too. My son's best friends are two little girls and I think that is awesome. I love that influence on him, especially since he doesn't have any sisters. Middle school, high school, college is different to me. Again, I KNOW single sex education for girls rocks, but a school of just boys? Forgive my bias. I had a friend who went to a male college and he said that single sex education brought out the best in women and the worst in men : . I would look into this individual school's philosophy and mission. The only all male schools I know (besides that Wabash College)of are military academies!

[sbmama]

These are all really helpful. I had the same thoughts about all-boys and a kind of mentality that can develop in that environment (FWIW, I've been in outdoor ed situations that were coed, and without fail the men in the group came together in a way that was disturbing to me as a woman). Although I do think that there could be benefits at a young age -- this particular school does physical education and recess every day, and supports boys in the particular ways that they develop, I agree that having female friends is so important, espec. without a sister at home.

My other main concern is about violent play (gun play, etc.) that seems to impact so many boys regardless of their exposure to it at home, and how the school deals with that issue.

We're still thinking...thanks so much for your thoughtful insights.

Heidi

[Ellien C]

Have you looked at the religious schools enough to know you definitely object to them?

I ask because my DD is at a Jewish day care/pre-school and will be there until she starts public all-day kindy at age 5. The Jewish pre-school has been wonderful for us although we are not Jewish.

There are some Christian schools that I absolutely would not put her in (corporal punishment is still legal in my state) even though we are Christian. The Jewish school was a good fit for us.