At a glance, attending an all-girls’ school may be unappealing for some. The idea of the absence of boys scares some into thinking negatively about single gender schools.

One should consider, however, the many benefits of all-girls’ schools. Without boys, girls have the opportunity to indulge in endeavors without feeling pressured by the presence of boys. They are free to focus on their learning experiences rather than their physical appearances, and they can develop confidence to express their thoughts and ideas.

Sophomore Shajaira Fiesta said, “I didn’t want to attend an all-girls’ school, but now that I have been here for two years, I have realized that it is not as terrible as I had thought. The teachers at the Academy constantly encourage me to take pride in my ideas and actions. ”

A new statistical study, commissioned by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), offers proof of the advantages that graduates of all-girls’ schools have when they enter college.The study highlights the significant differences between single-sex and coeducational alumnae on topics including self-confidence, political and social activism, life goals and career orientation. The study also showed that all-girls’ school graduates are more successful and engaged in areas where male students have historically dominated–mathematics, computers, engineering and politics.

Senior Mara Gillis said, “I feel more motivated to take leadership roles in core classes due to my experience at an all-girls’ school. In the field of science, there are not many women in the field. I have decided to major in Physics because of my strong interest in the science field.”

All-girls’ schools provide inspirational environments where girls can express themselves freely and more frequently allowing them to develop higher order thinking skills. According to Goodman Research Group, 93 percent of girl school graduates felt extremely satisfied with their school’s ability to provide individualized attention.

Sophomore Angelique Mara said, “I am more confident in myself without the presence of boys. The girls whom I surround myself with support and boost my self-esteem. They challenge me to do well academically and share similar morals with me.”

Girls’ schools empower students to become bold leaders. A girl’s environment plays an important role in explaining why she chooses to compete. The absence of boys contributes to her level of comfort when running for a leadership position. The healthy competition that is often seen in all-girls’ schools encourages self-confidence and pride in students’ work.

Studies done by the University of Pennsylvania suggest that girls’ schools capitalize on  unique learning styles. There have been cases that show that teacher-student relationships in single-sex schools are more academically positive in comparison to coed schools.

Senior Elizabeth Serrao said, “The teachers that I have had in previous years have always been approachable and willing to give me individual help when I had trouble learning material.”