5 Benefits of Attending an All-Girls School

The benefits a single-sex educational environment for girls are well documented. From academic achievement to finding her voice, when a student attends an all-girls school, the impact it has on her intellectual and personal development is impressive and far-reaching.

In Fostering Academic and Social Engagement: An Investigation into the Effects of All-Girls Education in the Transition to University, Dr. Tiffani Riggers-Piehl of the University of Kansas City, Missouri states, “Emphasizing their ability to learn independently, alumnae of all-girls schools more frequently explore topics on their own, even when not required, compared to their co-educated peers.”

In fact, just one hour a week of single-sex education has impressive benefits: “Females are 7% more likely to pass their first year courses and score 10% higher in their required second year classes than their peers attending coeducational classes” (Booth, Cardona-Sosa, and Nolen, Do Single-Sex Classes Affect Exam Scores? An Experiment in a Coeducational University).

The all-girls advantage at Presentation High School allows students to thrive in and outside of the classroom. The private school’s well-rounded education bears out the national research:

• In a graduation survey, 97% of Presentation High School’s Class of 2019 said, as a result of their education at Presentation, they feel empowered and take pride in being a woman. 
• 100% said Presentation encouraged them to work hard and set high standards for themselves. 
• 99% believed that Presentation helped them set high standards for themselves.

If you are thinking about providing your daughter with an all-girls education, here are some benefits to consider:

Leadership at an All-Girls School

Students should feel encouraged to take on leadership roles and positions in their school community. These types of positions allow girls to build confidence and hone and develop skills that will serve them well in the future. The earlier in life that girls feel they are able to take on leadership roles, the more likely they are to seek leadership positions in co-ed environments as well.

Support

An all-girls education provides young girls with social and emotional support throughout their schooling. Peer-to-peer interactions are crucial for teen girls in their understanding of themselves and the world around them. A 2017 study found that “the net effect of having single-sex peers for three years is strongly positive for girls.”

STEM

Historically, careers in math and science have been most closely associated with male career paths. Today, the narrative puts an emphasis on women entering fields in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and more. High school girls now have more opportunities than ever to advance in these fields, and do so in an encouraging environment. At Presentation, 79% of students take three or more years of science, from Engineering and Design to AP courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics I, and Environmental Science.

Many private schools offer additional programs that allow girls to get involved with STEM-related fields from an early age. Exposure and encouragement for young girls to pursue interests in STEM, enables them to take advantage of opportunities that they may not feel enticed to participate in in co-ed environments. 

It’s a passion for STEM nurtured in an all-girls school that often inspires STEM-related pursuits in college and beyond. In her seminal study, Women Graduates of Single-Sex and Coeducational High Schools: Differences in their Characteristics and the Transition to College, UCLA’s Dr. Linda Sax found that “compared to coed peers, girls’ school grads are three times more likely to consider engineering careers.”  

Athletics at an All-Girls School

Research shows that athletes in single-sex schools excel in sports and are more likely to get involved in school athletic programs. Athletics are important for female students as it teaches skills for teamwork, leadership, and overall health benefits. Additionally, college recruiters look for athletes who are dedicated and capable of competing in sports at a rigorous level -- qualities that exist across all sports in an all-girls environment when the focus can be solely on the individual and team achievements of female athletes..

Success

Single-sex educational experiences last long after student’s primary education. Through networking, career days, alumni events, and coalitions like The National Coalition of Girls Schools, a lifetime of opportunities await. 

Want to attribute your success to your education? Contact Presentation to learn about how to enroll at a private all-girls school today!