Seattle Girls School Statement
Why a Girls' School?
Girls with a healthy self image have a strong sense of who they are, are less likely to take unhealthy risks, have the ability to withstand peer pressure, and feel empowered to pursue their dreams.Unfortunately, once girls reach early adolescence, too many lose self-esteem as they fall prey to conflicting messages about femininity and achievement from school, the media, and peers.The development of opportunities and skills to critically assess those messages is crucial to their ability to survive with their self-esteem intact.
Current research demonstrates that many girls attending coeducational schools do not receive equal opportunities to achieve academically, particularly in the areas of math, science, and technology.Methods by which these subjects are traditionally taught leave girls uninterested, self-deprecating, and unwilling to pursue further study in high school or beyond.The number of college women majoring in computer science peaked in 1984 at 37% and has declined to below 20% currently.Women are similarly underrepresented in all other fields of science, math and engineering.Even girls who are high achievers in these areas often don't feel empowered and fall prey to gender-stereotypical beliefs about themselves and their abilities.Despite the best intentions of teachers and schools, girls in coeducational settings are at a distinct and profound disadvantage that limits their options in later years.
The failure of girls to pursue studies in science, math and technology not only deprives corporate America of a valuable future workforce; it will also deprive women of access to viable jobs that will support families in the 21st century economy.Understanding methods of scientific inquiry and scientific conclusions will also become increasingly important for citizens interested in making intelligent choices in the political arena about everything from environmental issues to defense policy.Exposed to a gender-relevant, experiential, intellectually stimulating approach to math, science and technology in the context of a well-rounded middle school curriculum, young women will pursue courses in these fields in high school and college at higher rates than average.
"Girls in single-sex schools have higher self-esteem, are more interested in nontraditional subjects such as science and math, and are less likely to stereotype jobs and careers.They are intellectually curious, serious about their studies and achieve more."
-- Drs. Myra and David Sadker
Failing at Fairness: How America's Schools Cheat Girls
The Solution: Girls at single sex schools flourish academically.Graduates of girls' schools are more motivated, more accomplished, and have higher aspirations than their peers at coeducational schools.Girls at single gender schools plan careers in math, science, and technology four times more often than their peers from coed schools.They will typically score 30% higher on SAT tests than the national average for girls.
Girls need their own middle school to nurture and empower them during this critical time.They need a learning environment specifically designed for the ways in which they learn best.In a school of their own, girls stay invested in themselves and their potential, and do not succumb to the messages and risks presented to them on a daily basis.In a school of their own, girls can grow whole and strong alongside others who are succeeding.Through programs in the arts, sports activities, and community service, girls will find at SGS not only ample outlets for their energy and creativity, but also opportunities to test leadership skills, build confidence, and expand their horizons.
Girls need a place like Seattle Girls' School where they are central in every way.