Single-sex schools boost girls’ maths and science scores

Girls at single-sex schools are performing better in maths and science than girls at co-educational schools.

A 2024 study has revealed that students, particularly in low-decile, all-girls schools, benefit from single-sex education.

The study’s authors, Dr Tanya Evans and Alice Smith, focused on the experiences of year 9 students in New Zealand, based on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2019 dataset.

Results suggest that single-sex schools may reduce the impact of gender stereotypes, empowering girls to pursue subjects that are traditionally male-dominated.

For boys, the pattern is reversed – those at high-decile, single-sex schools outperform their peers in co-ed settings.

Mother of two, Liz, says her daughter's experience at an all-girls school in Auckland developed her enthusiasm in STEM subjects.

“I felt the single-sex school gave her confidence and the freedom to pursue STEM subjects and try things not necessarily thought of as ‘feminine’.”

Dr Evans’ and Alice Smith's data also suggests that females perform better if they are taught by a female teacher.

While single-sex schools employ both male and female teachers, they tend to have a larger gender disparity among teachers compared to co-ed schools.

Liz says she also preferred single-sex education for her son due to the more individualised attention and smaller class sizes, which helped him focus better.

“We felt the academic outcomes outweighed the social effects of co-education.”

While single-sex education has shown to have academic advantages, social implications remain a contested topic.

Single-sex education gives students an edge in maths and science, but at what social cost?

The study states that critics argue segregation may marginalise certain communities.

Transgender woman Christina Hankey reflects on her experience as a student at an all-boys high school, describing herself as a square peg in a round hole.

Hankey transitioned a year ago and attended high school in the 1980s.

“I knew I was different. How I was different, I didn't know.

“Every day was really quite a challenge for me just because I didn't feel like I fit in.”

Community Law states that single-sex schools can deny entry based on gender without it being legally considered discriminatory.

With the growing awareness of this minority group, some argue the education system needs to adapt.

Te Waha Nui reached out to multiple schools for comment, but they declined.

Hankey says single-sex learning makes it more difficult for individuals questioning their gender to fully understand themselves.

“I didn't have a chance to engage with people who matched my actual gender identity. And that, I think, stopped me from discovering my true self.”

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