What are the pros and cons of boarding school, specifically, an all girls' baording school? It depends largely on your child's personality. Some girls thrive on the competition that coed schools offer. Others tend to shrink, fearful of criticism or harsh judgment from boys if they're seen as too assertive or too brainy. The quality of your public school system also plays a role, as some schools still favor boys over girls in the classroom, although this disparity is becoming rarer.
Benefits of Girls' Boarding Schools
Some girls do not perform well academically in schools where there are boys around. As stated by the National Coalition of Girls' Schools (NCGS), studies have consistently shown that many girls who attended all-girl schools are more successful. One girl is quoted as saying, "I loved going to an all-girl high school. I owe a lot of my self-confidence, creativity and sense of responsibility to that school." Studies from around the world show students at all-girl boarding schools consistently outperforming those in co-ed school settings.
Cornelius Riordan, a professor and educational researcher, says, "Having conducted research on single-sex and co-educational schools for the past two decades, I have concluded that single-sex schools help to improve student achievement. My conclusions are based on high quality national data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics, as well as on studies conducted around the globe." Some benefits he mentions include reduced sex stereotypes, leadership opportunities and strong role models.
Perhaps the strongest argument for all-girl boarding schools is a curriculm that's tailored to a female learning style, which tends to be more verbal and less visual than that of boys. Girls who excel in mathematics and science may feel more comfortable exploring their interests in an all-girls school, and they could have access to a more advanced curriculum than they'd find in most public schools.
Don't forget athletics. If your daughter is a star player in a particular sport, research girls' boarding schools to find ones that can develop both her atheletic and academic skills. Similar to boys' boarding schools, some girls' schools have excellent coaches and athletic facilities, ideal for girls who want to purse sports at the collegiate level.
Concerns With Girls' Boarding Schools
The cost of all-girl boarding schools can be an issue for some families. Not everyone can afford to send their children to private schools. Fortunately, merit scholarships often are available.
In an effort to lower distractions, many boarding schools have strict limitations on visits from non-students, including parents. Some girls may have issues with this. If you think this will be a concern for your child, talk with potential schools and find out what their visitation policies are, and why they have been put in place. You may find that you agree with their reasons and that together you and your child can work on adjusting to these limitations.
Understand that an all-girl school is not a cureall for social problems. Girls who are naturally shy and withdrawn may become more so if they're removed from the safe environment of home. A single-sex environment can also impede socialization. Men and women live and work together in adult life, and many of the social skills needed to maintain these adult relationships begin to form during the school years.
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