According to Leonard Sax, president and founder of NASSPE, there are several differences in the way boys and girls learn. For example, girls find it easier to concentrate in a quiet environment compared to boys, who prefer a lively classroom. Similarly, girls are quicker at grasping math and science problems when they are presented with practical examples whereas boys prefer pure theory. Teachers who teach girls-only classes can adapt their instructional style to give their students a better learning experience. Without the fear of appearing too intelligent and thereby less attractive to boys, girls also have the opportunity to nurture and act upon their desire for academic excellence.
According to Brian Nosek, a University of Virginia associate professor of psychology who was involved in an international study across 34 countries, 70 percent of participants associated science with males rather than females. Subjects such as math, chemistry, physics, and engineering and computer science are traditionally considered as the male bastion. In a co-ed institution, girls are less likely to question this stereotype for fear of ridicule by the boys. In a girls-only classroom, students are free of such fears and are more likely to pursue a course of study because they find it interesting rather than to fit into a socially acceptable role. This translates into a wider spectrum of choice when it comes to selecting a career.
Girls are more likely to express themselves in a classroom where there are no boys to dominate the conversation or ridicule their opinions. This ensures that they participate more actively in activities such as group projects, presentations and classroom discussions. Girls in single-gender classrooms also don't have to worry about alienating boys by appearing smart and intelligent. Whether it is academics, sports or extracurricular activities, girls find it easier to overcome their timidity and participate enthusiastically.
Especially during the teenage years, co-ed schools evoke a mixed bag of emotions in girls. The greater comfort they feel with their girlfriends often is sacrificed at the altar of peer pressure to hang out with a boyfriend. According to NASSPE, in a single-gender school, girls have greater independence in managing their heterosexual relationships. In turn, this makes them more confident and focused on their education rather than being preoccupied with their appearance in a bid to attract male attention.