Ask Cathy
Same Sex Schools

Dear Carol,

Both of my children are in single-sex schools and will remain so for all of high school.

With respect to girls' single-sex education, browse www.ncgs.org and you will be convinced, more than ever, that an all-girls school is vital to enhance the education of your daughter. You will find that a 2000 Goodman Research Group study showed alarming findings.

For instance, after surveying female graduates of single-sex schools, they found

• (a) 83% of girls surveyed believed they were better qualified for college than their co-ed counterparts;

• (b) 93% of the girls responded that they had greater leadership opportunities in school than the co-ed students and 80% of those who responded went on to hold leadership roles following their graduation; and

• (c) 13% of those graduates surveyed intended to major in math or science, compared with - READ THIS AND WEEP - a national average of only 2% of all high school girls.

I do believe that there are plenty of social opportunities for a young woman to mix with young men outside of school. Not only does the "play dumb" thing infuriate me, it says that in a co-ed environment, your daughter will not lead with her mind because she feels it is not valued.

Whilst the cost of single-sex education is painful beyond words, I would do no other if at all possible.

Good luck.