Research Shows Girls’ Schools Boost Academic Performance
Global studies suggest that academic performance improves in single-sex schools for girls. According to Jana Lucash, a teacher at Hunter College High School in New York, while male students are often more willing to participate in class even when unprepared, female students tend to contribute only when they feel entirely confident. This pattern is seen as one of the main reasons why many families opt to send their daughters to all-girls’ schools.
A 2005 study found that 74% of graduates from girls’ schools felt they were more encouraged to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. The research also revealed that these students were six times more likely to continue their education in STEM fields compared to their peers in co-educational settings. In another survey conducted in 2013, 97% of students in girls-only schools stated that their opinions were treated with greater respect.
However, some educators argue that the absence of boys can increase competition and social pressure among female students. Despite this, studies from countries such as the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and several Caribbean nations indicate that girls’ schools have a positive impact on academic achievement. It is also noted, however, that these outcomes may be closely linked to the students’ socio-economic backgrounds.
Country: Global Keywords: Girls’ Schools, Academic Achievement, Gender Equality, STEM Education