Is an All-Boys School Right for Your Son?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 8:38 am
A growing number of boys are not succeeding in school. This news has left parents questioning the source of the problem – is it my son, his school, his teachers, or something else altogether?
Research shows that part of the problem may be related to co-ed schooling. Though there are many wonderful public schools and private day schools, there is a growing body of research that suggests co-ed schools may simply be unable to meet the unique needs of both boys and girls.
A recent report issued by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) indicated that the parents of nearly one of every five boys in the United States were concerned enough about their sons’ emotional or behavioral problems that they consulted a doctor or a health care professional. Only about one out of 10 parents of girls reported these kinds of concerns.
Moreover, the NCHS reported that:
Boys are 30 percent more likely than girls to flunk or drop out of school;
Girls outperform boys in elementary, secondary, high school, college, and even graduate school in terms of grades and homework;
Boys are four to five times more likely than girls to be phone number data with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); and
Women outnumber men in higher education (women are awarded 56 percent of bachelor’s degrees and 55 percent of graduate degrees).
The Benefits of Single-Sex Schools
Is an all-boys boarding school worth the financial cost and difficulty of physical separation? Scientific research, as well as reports from grads and their parents, indicate that the answer is a definite yes.
Never a Dull Moment. Boarding school is an adventure full of calculated risks and rewards. At every turn, students are encouraged to try new activities, push themselves, meet new people, and adapt to unfamiliar situations. Challenge produces personal growth and marked increases in self-confidence, and makes the experience of being away from home an enjoyable one. Living in a home with new friends helps students build an immediate support network and establish friendships that they’ll remember for life.
Individualized Attention and Hands-On Learning. Boys not only have more fun at all-boys’ schools, they learn more. Small class sizes, one-on-one tutoring, and an impressive list of course offerings are just the start. At all-boys schools, boys get more of what they need – hands-on, active learning that doesn’t require them to sit still for long periods of time; more visual aids and props to hold their attention; and teachers who turn ordinary reading and writing assignments into an adventure.
Research shows that part of the problem may be related to co-ed schooling. Though there are many wonderful public schools and private day schools, there is a growing body of research that suggests co-ed schools may simply be unable to meet the unique needs of both boys and girls.
A recent report issued by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) indicated that the parents of nearly one of every five boys in the United States were concerned enough about their sons’ emotional or behavioral problems that they consulted a doctor or a health care professional. Only about one out of 10 parents of girls reported these kinds of concerns.
Moreover, the NCHS reported that:
Boys are 30 percent more likely than girls to flunk or drop out of school;
Girls outperform boys in elementary, secondary, high school, college, and even graduate school in terms of grades and homework;
Boys are four to five times more likely than girls to be phone number data with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); and
Women outnumber men in higher education (women are awarded 56 percent of bachelor’s degrees and 55 percent of graduate degrees).
The Benefits of Single-Sex Schools
Is an all-boys boarding school worth the financial cost and difficulty of physical separation? Scientific research, as well as reports from grads and their parents, indicate that the answer is a definite yes.
Never a Dull Moment. Boarding school is an adventure full of calculated risks and rewards. At every turn, students are encouraged to try new activities, push themselves, meet new people, and adapt to unfamiliar situations. Challenge produces personal growth and marked increases in self-confidence, and makes the experience of being away from home an enjoyable one. Living in a home with new friends helps students build an immediate support network and establish friendships that they’ll remember for life.
Individualized Attention and Hands-On Learning. Boys not only have more fun at all-boys’ schools, they learn more. Small class sizes, one-on-one tutoring, and an impressive list of course offerings are just the start. At all-boys schools, boys get more of what they need – hands-on, active learning that doesn’t require them to sit still for long periods of time; more visual aids and props to hold their attention; and teachers who turn ordinary reading and writing assignments into an adventure.