The Coed Advantage

Some researchers report there are natural differences in the way boys and girls brains develop and how they learn.

Others report that there are few differences in children’s brains, none that are known to impact learning. However, educational research does show that all students have different learning styles and that many complex factors affect a child’s learning profile such as the quality of the school and the child’s temperament, interests, ability, family upbringing, socioeconomic status, etc.

• Some educators suggest that when the opposite sex is not present, it can boost student confidence and academic performance.
• Other studies show that the healthy, balanced exposure to the opposite sex in co-ed schools improves how students perform in school, combats gender bias and stereotypes, and positively affects how students think and operate in the real-world.

Some parents think a single-sex environment removes distractions associated with the opposite sex.

Studies show that students who are distracted easily will be distracted regardless of the setting and suggest that students in co-ed schools are able to develop the skills necessary to navigate all types of distractions they will experience in the adult world.

• Has your child had a positive or negative experience in his/her current learning environment?
• Does your child enjoy spending time and learning with boys and girls?
• How might a different structure impact your child’s academic and social development?

• Will your child have opportunities to develop healthy, respectful, supportive friendships with children of both genders?
• Will a co-ed or single-sex student body expose your child to a diverse range of personalities, activities, learning styles and perspectives that mirror what he/she will encounter the real world?
• How often will your child have the opportunity to collaborate and practice leadership with boys and girls in the classroom and in extracurricular activities?

• How do they actively combat gender bias and stereotypes and promote respect and inclusiveness?
• Will your child interact with positive peer and adult role models who are male and female? Find out if there is a balance between male and female administrators, teachers and coaches.
• Do current students seem at ease with members of the opposite sex? Do they intermingle comfortably in social settings?