Published December 14, 2008

Single sex education has a long and distinctive history in the annals of western education. It also has its dark side when you consider that only children of the upper classes were taught how to read and write. When the founders of this country began to grapple with the realities of building and advancing a nation built on democratic principles, they soon realized that education was one of the keys to future success.

The Phillips family, for example, invested substantial amounts of money to establish the now famous schools - Andover and Exeter - which bear their name. There were many other visionaries who did the same thing or followed their example as you can see from this list of schools established in the 1700's. Those first schools were single sex schools. Boys' schools. Girls didn't matter back then apparently. 

So exactly why would you consider a boys' school for your son in the 21st century?

1. Boys learn differently from girls.
There is now a recognized body of research which posits that boys do learn differently from girls. Read books like Boys and Girls Learn Differently! by Michael Gurian to understand that line of thinking. Teachers in a boys' school understand how a boy learns and as a result are quite successful in implementing the special teaching techniques required to achieve optimal results.

2. The focus is entirely on boys.
When you don't have to plan curriculum, lessons and events to include both sexes, you can focus on boys' needs exclusively. Young men enjoy different kinds of activities than girls do. They grow at a different pace than girls do. A boys' school allows a boy to remain a boy for as long as he wants and needs to.

3. The social pressures are much less stressful.
Boys mature later than girls do. Learning how to cope with and relate to girls on a daily basis in a coeducational setting causes added stress in those early adolescent years. That's exactly the time a boys' school is able to jump in and build confidence without the social distractions inherent in a mixed setting.

4. Boys' become comfortable with non-traditional subjects and activities.
In a coeducational high school boys often shy away from joining activities such as choir and orchestra. To do so would make be considered unmasculine. In a boys' school you can't have a choir or an orchestra unless you and your classmates pitch in and make it happen. Breaking down the stereotypes society has imposed on what are considered proper activities for boys is one of the many things boys' schools do very well.

5. Boys learn that there are many routes to manhood.
Again, the traditional stereotypes can be dismantled and replaced by a more thoughtful approach to maturation. Not every boy can be a star athlete or a math whiz. Competition is fine and to be encouraged. But boys can also learn that the strong bonds of friendship, teamwork and social interaction are what matter most in later life.

What about interaction with girls? That is indeed a very important part of any boys' school's social calendar. Typically a boys' school will have an established relationship with a nearby girls' school. A range of supervised activities gives both sexes ample opportunity to enjoy each other's company. This works to their mutual benefit.