Atlanta Schools Experiment With Single-Gender Campuses

There are many studies that both support andHow can simply sitting in an Atlanta public schools'
denounce the practice of single-gender schools. Forclass with all boys or all girls improve performance?
many years, colleges and universities were all dividedWell, there's the obvious; if there are no boys in your
based on gender. Throughout history, boys were ableAtlanta Schools' class (or girls), you are less likely to
to receive formal schooling, while girls were expectedbe concerned with your appearance, flirting, who is
to remain at home and learn both the domestic artsdating who or if your make-up looks right. For
as well as the finer skills of catching a husband.another thing, when students are sitting in class with
Single-gender schools fell out of popularity in theeveryone who is the same gender as they are, they
1970s but are enjoying a resurgence in this century.are more likely to think outside of the box. Literally.
Many people - Atlanta Schools educators and parentsWhether we want to admit it or not, there is gender
alike - believe that sending their children to astereotyping going on every single day in Atlanta
single-gender school will ensure that they will receiveSchools that are coed. It's pretty much unavoidable,
the best possible Atlanta Schools education.even though many Atlanta Schools teachers and
Is this true? Well, many people believe so. Thestaff are cognizant of the problem and try to avoid
benefits of receiving an Atlanta Schools education atit. For some reason, our brains naturally assume that
a single-gender location are:boys are going to be better and more interested in
- they improve student performancemath and science, and that girls are better equipped
- they significantly increase graduation ratesfor language and fine arts. In reality, both girls and
- they produce a higher number of students whoboys have the capabilities to excel in all of these
attend collegeareas, but often succumb to what is socially
These are all admirable claims. Let's look at them aexpected of them instead of following their hearts
little more closely.(and minds) towards learning about what's most
Single-gender Atlanta Schools Improve Studentinteresting to them.
Performance