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Boys tend to mature later than girls ,there is sometimes a lot of stress on them at a mixed school as they are constantly being compare to their female classmates.

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Boys tend to mature later than girls ,there is sometimes a lot of stress on them at a mixed school as they are constantly being compare to their female classmates.

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Take a look at our pros and cons to help decide if your children would benefit more from attending single-sex schools or by having a mixed-gender education.

Are you wondering about whether to send your children to single sex schools? Will they miss out by not having a mixed-gender education, or will they do better? There are a number of strong opinions on either side of the debate on which type of education is better. It really depends on the individual family and child.
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If you're trying to make that important decision for your child, here are some pros and cons of single-sex schools to consider:
Pros of all-boys schools

Tailor learning to boy-specific needs
Many experts agree that boys and girls learn in different styles. An all-boys school allows teachers to make slight but significant changes to the way they teach - for instance volume of speaking voice, frequent checks of understanding to maintain focus on the topic, incorporation of motion into learning activities and use of mild team-based competition. This is effective in increasing boys' engagement with the class material and their work ethic.

Build their confidence in the classroom
Because boys tend to mature later than girls, there is sometimes a lot of stress on them at a mixed school as they are constantly being compared to their female classmates. An all-boys learning environment lets boys develop at their own pace, without the comparisons, and helps them build confidence.

Encourage participation in non-traditional subjects
There is a higher participation of boys in non-traditional subjects and extra-curricular activities at single-sex schools. At mixed school, many boys shy away from joining things like choir or drama for fear of being branded unmasculine. At an all-boys school, they can worry less about fitting a gender stereotype, because all participants are boys.

Reduce pressure on the non-sporty
In mixed schools, girls tend to dominate student leadership, organisation and academic honours. This means that boys tend to retreat instead into a more narrowly defined sphere of power where they can assert their own dominance-- almost always sports. This tends to disempower all those boys who are not naturally sporty. In an all-boys school, all the power -- and all the responsibility -- must rest with boys, and they respond well to that challenge.

Pros of all-girls schools

Build their confidence in the classroom
Many girls worry about appearing 'geeky' or 'nerdy' in front of boys, so in the classroom they are embarrassed to raise their hands and step forward with their thoughts. At an all girls school they won't have this inhibition, so they may have more confidence to contribute to class discussions and ask questions, which will help their learning in the long run.

Reduce the amount of classroom disruption
Studies have shown that young boys tend to be more disruptive in the classroom in a mixed-school environment. When teachers have to stop the class to talk to them, it interrupts the lesson and wastes your daughters learning time.

Increase their opportunity for sport involvement
Participation of girls in sport clubs is a lot higher in all-girls schools. This is because in a mixed gender school, sports resources tend to be aimed more at boys' sport participation. Additionally, around boys, many teenage girls are self conscious of the way they look doing sports, so will refrain from taking part.

Boost female independence
All-girls schools can also contribute a great deal to female self-esteem and independence. Teenage girls can see that they don't need boys to make them strong and powerful and that girls can excel in typically male dominated fields such as maths and science.

Cons of single sex schools
As with anything, it's good to consider both sides before you decide what schooling will work best for your son or daughter.

Don't prepare them for 'the real world'
Some experts feel that a mixed school better prepares children for their future 'in the real world', where men and women aren't segregated. When children develop relationships with the other gender, they are provided with experience for later on in life when both genders work alongside each other in all aspects of jobs and professions. The other gender isn't seen as separate, strange or different, but as a normal colleague.

Don't let them experience (and thereby respect) diversity
At school, children are taught to learn to get along with people from other cultures, races, learning styles, ages and backgrounds. It teaches tolerance and acceptance of people's differences and ways of thinking. Why should gender be any different? Mixed gender schools teach students to respect gender differences and similarities from an early age.

Can cause gender stereotyping and undermine gender equality
Often, the only occasions that all-boys and all-girls schools mix is at school discos, prom and other formal events - times when both genders dress up and try to impress the other. This tends to sexualise the other gender, and creates unrealistic expectations of how men and women should look and behave in normal life. Single-sex schools can therefore promote gender stereotyping, and undermine gender equality.

Deny opportunities for mixed gender friendships
We have to respect that there are fundamental differences between genders - whether that's socially or biologically determined. However, these differences are not the same for everyone. For this reason, some girls feel more comfortable making friends with a group of boys, and vice versa. This opportunity to make friends with a group of the other gender doesn't present itself at single-sex schools.

How can you decide if single-sex schools are best for your child?
Sit with your child and make a list of what's working for them at their current school and what's not. If you and your child are seriously considering single-sex schools, see if it's possible for them to shadow a student at a single sex school for a day. If that's not possible, then make sure you go and visit one on an open day. Your child will be able to experience the atmosphere for themselves and be able to compare it to their current mixed school. Additionally, ask current students about their experiences, and how they feel about being in a single gender learning environment.

Write up a list of pros and cons with your child and, when possible, try and reach a decision together. After all, this is their future and their opinion should be worth something in the discussion.

There's no one answer that fits each child and what is right for your child may not be for another. With careful research and open discussions, you can find the right choice for your family.

For help and assistance with your child's education, check out our range of local tutors.

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Take a look at our pros and cons to help decide if your children would benefit more from attending single-sex schools or by having a mixed-gender education. Are you wondering about whether to send your children to single sex schools? Will they miss out by not having a mixed-gender education, ...

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Girls participate more in class and develop much higher self esteem

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Girls participate more in class and develop much higher self esteem

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Do boys and girls benefit more from being taught together or separately?

Please cast your vote after you've read the arguments.
You can also add to the debate by leaving a comment at the end of the page.

What do you think?

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Do boys and girls benefit more from being taught together or separately? Please cast your vote after you've read the arguments.You can also add to the debate by leaving a comment at the end of the page. What do you think?

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Kids won't have to worry about impressing the opposite gender.

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Kids won't have to worry about impressing the opposite gender.

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argument: nearly all thriving cultures have had single-sex schooling

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argument: single-sex schools have thrived historically

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Debate: Single-sex schools - Debatepedia

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Studies in the past have shown that boys gain more academically from studying in co-education schools, but that girls find segregated schools more conducive to achievement. But academic results are not the only criterion on which the success of the education system should be judged.

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Will my child's performance improve in a single-sex school? This is a question many parents ask themselves.

Your friend firmly believes her daughter's academic performance is thanks to her being at an all-girls' school where she's not distracted by the presence of boys.

Your brother says his son has excelled at rugby because he attends an exemplary boys' school where performance on the sports field is encouraged.

Other parents believe co-ed schools are the best option for their kids because they prepare them for a real world in which they'll have to mix with the opposite sex.

Experts agree it's a difficult decision. "I don't think there's a right or wrong answer," says clinical psychologist Cristine Scolari of Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

Some children flourish in single-sex schools, while others perform better in coed schools, Pretoria Boys High School principal Tony Reeler says.

Research doesn't support the view that children do better in single-sex schools, Cape Town educational psychologist Melissa Bothma says. "Extensive research shows single-sex school don't offer any social or educational benefits over co-ed schools in the public school system."

The characteristics of individual schools must also be taken into account, Cape Town educational psychologist Anel Annandale says. "If your child is unhappy in a co-ed school it doesn't mean you should send them to a single-sex school. Perhaps it's the specific school that's the problem."

Before deciding, it's worth considering the following pros and cons:

Advantages of single-sex schools

"Boys and girls mature at different levels so it's frustrating if everyone is treated as equally mature," Scolari says. Single-sex schools make provision for the emotional, physical and intellectual differences between boys and girls. "Girls usually develop faster than boys between ages four and seven," Annandale confirms. "So teachers can teach schoolwork at a faster pace in girls' schools."

Learners in single-sex schools experience less peer pressure from the opposite sex, says Deon Scheepers, principal of Grey College in Bloemfontein. "Boys and girls can develop in a safe environment where there's no pressure from the opposite sex to be someone or become someone you're not."

There's usually a greater focus on sport in single-sex schools, especially boys' schools. "A sporty child develops more self-confidence if he's given the chance to excel on the sports field, but in some mixed schools where sport isn't given much attention his self-image can suffer, especially if he's not academically strong," Annandale says.

Supporters of single-sex school believe children do better in these schools, especially in the case of academically minded girls, Annandale says. Girls in single-sex schools are more inclined to take stereotypically "masculine" subjects such as maths, biology and physical science, she says, while Reeler says learners in boys' schools often take part in more stereotypically "feminine" activities such as choir, drama and art.

In high school teenagers' attention can be easily distracted by the opposite sex, Scolari says. "They don't focus on schoolwork but rather on social and relationship issues.

Disadvantages of single-sex schools

Girls and boys don't learn to socialise with one another, Scolari says. This is especially problematic if the child doesn't mix with children of the opposite sex outside school hours. "These children can feel uncomfortable or shy in the presence of the opposite sex," she says.

It's easier for boys and girls to become true friends in a mixed school where they see one another just about every day. "Supportive relationships with the opposite sex can lead to a healthy self-image," Scolari says.

"Cattiness can be more prevalent in girls' schools," Annandale says.

Sometimes parents send their children to a single-sex school far away from home, which means they spend the week in hostels. "If they go home for the weekend they're often deprived of the opportunity to socialise with their school friends," Annandale says.

Before you decide

Do thorough research about the school you have in mind for your child, Reeler says. "Visit the school with your child." This will give you a better idea of what type of place it is and if your child will fit in. For example, check if the school's values are the same as your family's.

Children should decide jointly with their parents about which high school they want to attend, Annandale says. "You might be keen on a specific school but you should also consider your child's interests. I'd suggest you visit schools together. Some schools even allow children to attend the school for a week to see if they fit in.

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Will my child's performance improve in a single-sex school? This is a question many parents ask themselves. Your friend firmly believes her daughter's academic performance is thanks to her being at an all-girls' school where she's not distracted by the presence of boys.

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Makes girls feel less pressure as they mature and develop.

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Makes girls feel less pressure as they mature and develop.

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Enable girls and boys to feel free to learn and discover any subject.

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The age-old debate around single sex schools versus mixed schools is back on the educational agenda once more, with experts from across the education sector still divided on the subject. The number of single sex private schools may have halved in the last 20 years, but the advantages of single sex schools have resurfaced yet again. This is partly due to recent news that girls in single sex state schools get better GCSE results than those in mixed schools, including those from poorer backgrounds. The SchoolDash research found that 75% of pupils at single-sex schools achieved five good GCSEs compared to just 55% in mixed schools.

These figures have opened up the single sex schools debate for discussion again. In this article we look at single sex schools pros and cons and ask which option really does provide the best possible education for our youngest generations?

The advantages of single sex schools

Why are single sex schools good for education? Many educational experts believe that girls and boys have different learning needs and that in single sex schools teachers can use particular techniques designed specifically to suit the gender of their school. Girls, for example, prefer collaborative and discussion-based learning while boys can dominate discussions and group-based teamwork. By using gender specific teaching techniques, staff at single sex schools can get the most out of lesson time and enhance the learning experience for their students. For a huge range of high quality videos to complement your students' learning visit BBC Active Video for Learning.

Some research into gender differences in learning even looks at how girls and boys respond differently to changes in temperature, suggesting that girls prefer warmer rooms while boys prefer to learn in cooler conditions. Single sex schools make it possible to adapt the learning environment to suit the differing needs of boys or girls.

There's a widespread belief that single sex schools help to challenge gender stereotypes and broaden the educational aspirations of both girls and boys. Single sex schools enable girls and boys to feel free to learn and discover any subject, with girls able to pursue interest in male-dominated subjects such as maths and science and boys able to explore music and the arts. Indeed, at the 26 Girls' Day School Trust schools and academies, girls are more than twice more likely to opt for science or engineering degrees at university level than girls nationally.

Are mixed schools the way forward? The other side of the debate

One of the main concerns about single sex education is that it could make it harder for girls and boys to relate to one another in a work or social environment later in life. The purpose of education is not only to teach children academic skills; they should be able to socialise and interact with members of the opposite sex to prepare them for adult life. There is a danger that children in single sex schools can view the other sex in an entirely unrealistic, ideological way. Critics of single sex schools claim that mixed schools are a far better environment for teaching children a broader range of essential life skills.

Mixed schools are arguably kinder and less pressured environments than single sex schools, with less gender specific intensity and a more balanced approach. In single sex schools, girls in particular can be very intense emotionally, which could potentially distract them from achieving their full potential. Some research also indicates that far from breaking down gender stereotypes, sex segregation can actually promote these stereotypes among students. By attending a mixed school, children could be seen to have a head start in life - a natural ability to feel at ease with the opposite sex which is essential for success in their adult life.

It's clear that both genders bring a lot to the table in terms of their own strengths. In mixed sex schools, good teachers should be able to play to these strengths and maximise the competitive and dominant nature of boys and the collaborative, project-based nature of girls to achieve the highest levels of both educational attainment and social development.

The single sex schools debate - what's the conclusion?

Over the decades, the single sex schools versus mixed schools debate has resurfaced frequently with strong opinions on both sides. Many head teachers and educational experts ultimately believe that a school's strengths should be based on the quality of teaching and not purely on the gender of their students. There are many factors that contribute to a truly successful school environment and the gender of the pupils is only one of many contributing factors. As ever, there are strong pros and cons for both single sex and mixed schools. Perhaps the grass is always greener on the other side of the school fence.

BBC Active Video for Learning provides a high quality range of educational videos including a Social Issues and Education category. These educational videos are the finest quality videos ever produced for use in the classroom and are perfect for engaging and captivating your students.

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The age-old debate around single sex schools versus mixed schools is back on the educational agenda once more, with experts from across the education sector still divided on the subject. The number of single sex private schools may have halved in the last 20 years, but the advantages of single sex schools have resurfaced yet again.

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On the sports field, girls won't take second place to male athletes. 

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On the sports field, girls won't take second place to male athletes. 

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Makes it easier for teachers to match instructional style to the behavioral characteristics of the students.

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Makes it easier for teachers to match instructional style to the behavioral characteristics of the students.

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YES

Single-sex classrooms can make it easier for teachers to match their instructional style to the behavioral characteristics of the students. Girls seem to favor learning in a quieter setting in which they work together and come to a consensus. Boys tend to favor a setting that is more competitive, physically active, and louder.

Early research shows that girls reap the most benefits from being together for math and science. They feel more comfortable about their abilities without worrying about how they appear to boys, and they have more opportunity to participate in class discussions. Boys, who are typically more confident in math and science, dominate discussions, and teachers tend to call on boys more often.

Recent research shows that boys also benefit from single-sex classes. It is likely that teachers of a class of boys will adopt a teaching approach that encourages boys' tendencies during discussions to be direct and confrontational, loud and excited at times, and to interrupt each other as well as the teacher. Of course, not all girls and boys are going to be comfortable in single-sex classrooms, so it would have to be voluntary enrollment. But offering single-sex classrooms in public schools is the cheapest, most effective, and simplest "innovation" available to improve achievement, particularly in math and science.

Robert Kirschenbaum is a school psychologist with the Clover Park School District in Lakewood, Washington.

NO

Perhaps the opposite gender could be a distraction for students in the classroom, but by grouping students by gender, we lose important elements of true education. In a diverse classroom, there are countless questions, different perspectives, and a variety of interests, which all add to the excitement of learning.

Our students have much to contribute to each other, and students of all ages benefit from being engaged in activities and learning in the company of the opposite sex. In the classroom, learning experiences need to resemble real-world life experiences. How can we prepare students for future families, homes, and workplaces without exposing them to members of the opposite sex? How can we expect them to learn to respect and appreciate gender differences as adults if we do not teach them to form healthy relationships and have positive interactions and appropriate dialogues now?

I also believe that female classmates encourage many unmotivated male students.
In my middle school classroom, I see my female students try to motivate my male students who seem to be less interested.

As educators, our efforts should not be driven by how we can separate students to minimize distractions but by how we can bring all students together to maximize learning. In my experience, students tend to learn better when teachers learn to teach better-regardless of the gender of the students.

André Boyd teaches at Johnson Middle School in Timmonsville, South Carolina.

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Debate: Do students learn better in single-sex classrooms?

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Single-sex classrooms can make it easier for teachers to match their instructional style to the behavioral characteristics of the students. Girls seem to favor learning in a quieter setting in which they work together and come to a consensus. Boys tend to favor a setting that is more competitive, physically active, and louder.

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Less girlfriend and boyfriend nonsense

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Voice your opinion. Argue if you think single sex schools are a good idea. See what other people are saying.

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The pros and cons of single sex classes are debated by advocates and naysayers alike. Some argue that single sex classes provide an environment where boys and girls are free to learn without the distraction of the opposite sex and without the pressure of unfair stereotypes. Others claim that implementing single sex classes incurs greater expense, prevents students from learning in a real-world atmosphere and interferes with the development of social skills.

Breaks Down Stereotypes

Single sex classes may help to break down stereotypes that the coeducational classroom may inadvertently reinforce. For instance, the stereotypical thinking that girls don't perform as well as boys in math and science may cause girls to hold back in those classes or not take those classes for fear of underachieving. Likewise, single sex language arts classes may help to dislodge stereotypical thinking that indicates males don't perform as well as females in language arts.

Reduced Distraction

Students in single sex classes are free to interact and learn without the distraction of the opposite sex. The value of this in middle and high school is that students may be less concerned about impressing the opposite sex and more focused on instruction. Additionally, students may feel that the social playing field is leveled with the absence of competition for attention from the opposite sex.

Lack of Interaction with Opposite Sex

Some say that students will live and work in a coeducational world and therefore need the experience of interaction with the opposite sex. Some schools try to make up for this disadvantage by allowing students to take non-academic subjects in a coeducational setting. However, working cooperatively in an academic environment with the opposite sex is real world and therefore, essential to healthy development. Additionally, students need opportunities to develop social skills for interacting with the opposite sex.

Expensive

The cost of offering single sex classes at a coeducational institution is greater than offering comparable coeducation. Schools that offer single sex classes and coeducational classes find themselves funding these parallel programs at a greater expense than just running the coeducational program. Aside from the additional operational expense and personnel expense, districts may allocate additional funds for professional development to train single sex teachers.

About the Author

Katherine Bradley began writing in 2006. Her education and leadership articles have been published on Education.com, Montessori Leadership Online and the Georgia Educational Researcher. Bradley completed a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Mercer University in 2009.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages, Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

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The Pros & Cons of Single Sex Classes in School | Synonym

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The pros and cons of single sex classes are debated by advocates and naysayers alike. Some argue that single sex classes provide an environment where boys and girls are free to learn without the distraction of the opposite sex and without the pressure of unfair stereotypes.

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Boys and girls prefer different temperature settings.

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Boys and girls prefer different temperature settings.

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The contentious topic of single gender classrooms is again in the spotlight with some policy makers considering gender-specific educational settings in public schools. Although some private schools already have this practice, not all agree that this is the best environment for K-12 students.

Single sex education is common in the 1800's but this changed as the years go by when mixed-gender school environments started to sprout like mushrooms in the 19th century. And although some countries still prefer single gender classrooms, the percentage of mixed-gender schools has increased. There are parents and sectors who maintain that there are more benefits single gender education offers while there are also those who say there are no specific advantages or setbacks proven. Some also emphasize this practice can even be harmful. Here is a look what the proponents and opponents of single gender classrooms have to say.

List of Pros of Single Gender Classrooms

1. Educators can design their teaching style according to gender.
Advocates say that single gender classrooms make it easier for teachers to prepare gender-specific lessons for students. According to studies, boys and girls have different preferences when it comes to learning behaviors. Males are usually more on physical activities while females prefer more interaction with their peers. With this observation in mind, supporters of single gender classrooms say that educators can adjust their teaching style according to gender.

2. They lessen distractions.
Some parents who are in favor of single gender classrooms claim that separating girls from boys will keep students more focused in studying since they will not be conscious of being with members of the opposite sex. They say that having mixed students in a classroom can encourage these kids to get into early relationships as opposed to being in class with only girls or boys.

3. Boys and girls prefer different temperature settings.
Proponents say that usually girls prefer warmer temperatures while boys are more comfortable learning in cooler temperatures. By separating girls from boys in classrooms, school administrators can design their classrooms and set the temperature specifically for boys or girls. If the classroom is conducive for learning, students will be motivated to attend classes and participate in class recitations.

4. They lessen the pressure on students.
Supporters of single gender classroom settings point out that when students are in a mixed-gender setting, there might be some pressure on both girls and boys when it comes to particular subjects like science and mathematics since boys are more comfortable in these subjects while girls excel more in poetry and music. In an all gender classroom, there will be less pressure for both girls and boys and students will be more confident in academics.

5. Research shows that female graduates of single gender education excel more academically than those who come from mixed-gender classroom settings.
Supporters of single gender classrooms point out the outcomes of researches which yielded results that put more weight on gender-specific educational systems where girls score higher on SAT tests and those who were included in the studies say that they spend more time reviewing and doing homework while in high school than those who are distracted with the presence and attention of boys in a classroom where they co-existed.

List of Cons of Single Gender Classrooms

1. This type of environment will not prepare some boys and girls to interact with the opposite sex.
Opponents of single gender classroom environments argue that in some point of their lives, boys and girls will have to co-exist with each other, particularly after college. Work environments, in particular, comprise male and female employees. Being used to people of the same gender might pose a problem once the need to interact with the opposite sex sets in.

2. Single gender classroom settings are not fit for some boys and girls.
Some students work well when with peers of the same gender. Conversely, there are those who are will shine better when in a mixed-classroom setting. There are assertive kids who might intimidate other students in single gender classroom environments. Because of this, critics argue that single gender education does not work at all times and careful consideration should be made before enrolling children in schools.

3. Not all educators are prepared to teach in gender-specific type of environment.
Just as school children might not fit in single gender classrooms, there are also teachers who might not have the skills and preference to teach single gender students. Although educators can use different teaching styles, not all can adapt to teaching all boys or all girls for that matter. For critics, this can affect the type of education children will be getting as well as teaching efficiencies of some teachers.

4. Other options are available to bring out the best in students other than gender-specific settings.
There are a myriad of ways to enhance their skills and abilities in the classroom instead of focusing on single gender education. For those who are against this setting, they believe that the education system should be something that promotes a combination of male and female students and not limit it to gender, color or status.

5. Children, at an early age, should be taught to co-exist so they can face the world's challenges head on.
There is no doubt, the male and female species are different in so many ways. People who oppose single gender classrooms say that preparing students to be with peers of the opposite sex will teach them these differences and make it easier for them to adapt to situations and understand that men and women can compromise and complement each other. On the other hand, single gender classroom settings can affect the social skills of students.

Conclusion

The issue if single gender classrooms are ideal for students will remain a divided topic and controversial. With the views expressed by supporters and critics, deciding whether this is the perfect educational setting can be difficult. Enrolling students in any school needs a lot of consideration and should not only be based on gender. At the end of the day, the parents should talk to their kids when it comes to the type of education they believe suits their children.

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10 Biggest Pros And Cons Of Single Gender Classrooms

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The contentious topic of single gender classrooms is again in the spotlight with some policy makers considering gender-specific educational settings in public schools. Although some private schools already have this practice, not all agree that this is the best environment for K-12 students.

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Imagine a typical school classroom and you may conjure up images of boys and girls coexisting, learning alongside each other, raising their hands in equal numbers. However, that's not usually the case.

According to 2010 data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau, from prekindergarten to senior year of high school, male students outnumber female students significantly in public school classrooms: 54 percent to 46 percent in pre-K and 51 percent to 49 percent from first grade to 12th grade.

So with the disproportionate stats in the American classroom, is it beneficial to separate the sexes from each other? Much debate has centered around this topic for years.

The Case for Single-Gender Classrooms

Jefferson Leadership Academies was in the spotlight in 1999 when it became the first public middle school in the United States to have entirely single-gender classes. Its reason? Research showed that girls did better in math and science in all-girl settings. This decision came just a few years after Failing at Fairness: How Our Schools Cheat Girls - a book that argues that gender bias prevents girls from receiving education equal to that of their male counterparts - was published by two American University professors.

Of course, single-gender education in grade schools didn't start in 1999, as it existed in the 18th century before coeducation started to trend in the 19th century. However, it picked up steam in the late '90s, especially when the Supreme Court made a ruling in the United States v. Virginia case involving male-only military college Virginia Military Institute. The conclusion: Single-sex classrooms were only constitutional if comparable resources were available to both genders. In 2006, the No Child Left Behind Act added a provision giving single-sex classrooms and schools the ability to exist as long as they are voluntary. From 1995 to 2006, the number of single-sex schools in the United States rose from 3 to 241.

There are many reasons why people advocate for single-gender classrooms, including less distraction (especially during teenage years when hormones rage), less " gender intensification " where coed settings reinforce stereotypes, and more instruction tailored to the unique ways boys and girls learn.
Approximately 30% of Catholic high schools in America are single-sex. See why you might consider a Catholic school, even if you're not Catholic.

The Case Against Single-Gender Classrooms

In 2007, Jefferson Leadership Academies reversed its same-sex curriculum after issues with disappointing test scores and scheduling conflicts arose. Detractors of same-sex classrooms weren't surprised since one of the biggest challenges to single-sex classrooms is the lack of concrete evidence that they boost achievement. As Margaret Talbot wrote in her 2012 New Yorker piece, "The evidence wasn't very good then [the '90s] for a gap between the genders' learning styles so significant that it would mandate separate instruction, and it hasn't gotten any better."

Plus, another argument against single-gender schools is that the real world doesn't afford a society where students can work with or interact with one gender over another. Thus, when it comes time for these students to head into the workforce, or even to college, they will face an adjustment period.

Related to college, one of the biggest reasons why single-gender classes popped up in the '90s was to help women do better in the classroom, but recent statistics show that women attend college in larger numbers, outnumbering men by 14 percent.

In fact, girls are less likely than boys to be held back in American schools, too, so some argue that the effort put into helping girls in the classroom may be counterintuitive when the boys are the ones who aren't doing as well.

Pros and Cons of Single-Sex Education

The Bottom Line

It may seem like a new development in education, but single-sex education is actually a throwback to curriculum systems of yesteryear, from way back before the 19th century. The factor that's changed is simply the reason behind the implementation, which may continue to evolve as new trends and legislation emerge. It remains to be proven whether single-sex classrooms are beneficial to students.

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Imagine a typical school classroom and you may conjure up images of boys and girls coexisting, learning alongside each other, raising their hands in equal numbers. However, that's not usually the case. According to 2010 data from NCES and the U.S.