Recommendations for All boys school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro: schools like and can adjust to active boys in the classroom; often a real feeling of brotherhood; less distraction in classroom.
Con: can make it harder for the boys to have healthy and respectful friendships with girls -- you will want to think about how those sorts of relationships can be fostered (summer/outside activities, for example).

"Con: can make it harder for the boys to have healthy and respectful friendships with girls -- you will want to think about how those sorts of relationships can be fostered (summer/outside activities, for example)"

This, of course, may likely be sheer nonsense. It certainly isn't supported by any research and it flies in the face of the experience of thousands of DVM families who send their boys to all boys schools (after they themselves have attended these same schools and are very familiar with the environments)

And yet it is stated as if it were almost certainly true.

Your opinion is your opinion. Mine is mine. Some folks will share your view, some will share mine. I like all-boys' schools very much as an educational option but see this as a potential drawback and something to think about and try to counter -- not as a reason to eschew all-boys' education. I would predict, also based on experience, that if you talk candidly with a range of experienced educators at all-boys' schools you will hear this as a concern and something they actively think about combating through the social curriculum, through activities with girls' schools, etc.

You are right and it is basically a fact - and it has been studied and written about countless times in the press (NYTimes, UK newspapers).

Well then, should be pretty easy for you to find a cite, let's see it. NP, btw.

My son goes to Gilman and we love it. He also has a sister and goes to coed camps so I have zero worries about ability to relate to girls. Gilman does have classes with its sister schools in high school, thinking this is probably common among single sex schools these days.

Yeah, I think if there are sisters in the frame, you're much more likely to survive the single-sex schooling. It creates an inherent, home-grown balance. Plus sisters have friends, so its not just one girl they interact with until camps start.

[Anonymous]

What would the social scene at Landon be like for a left-leaning family from downtown DC area? Would my son have any friends in DC or is everyone from MD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our three boys went to area single sex schools.

I was surprised at just how much more relaxed and pleasant their high school experiences were for them vs. my own at one of the US's top open-enrollment public high schools.

There were fewer cliques than I saw in high school. They had a wider range of close friends and a very wide circle of boys they were friendly with.

Relieved of the constant pressure to compete for and/or impress girls they devoted more attention to academics, sports and just growing up.

There were plenty of girls in their lives after class and practice on weekends and during the Summer.

There is, of course, a social hierarchy at these single sex schools. Its just a simpler one based on the preferences and ideas of the boys.

Well said. We've found the same. Our three boys in all-boys and our two girls in all-girls have had much better experiences in high school than their peers at co-ed schools. Fewer cliques, more time to be themselves. Wish I had had the same experience in high school and I had what I thought was a great high school experience. Now I see what I was missing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro: schools like and can adjust to active boys in the classroom; often a real feeling of brotherhood; less distraction in classroom.
Con: can make it harder for the boys to have healthy and respectful friendships with girls -- you will want to think about how those sorts of relationships can be fostered (summer/outside activities, for example).

"Con: can make it harder for the boys to have healthy and respectful friendships with girls -- you will want to think about how those sorts of relationships can be fostered (summer/outside activities, for example)"

This, of course, may likely be sheer nonsense. It certainly isn't supported by any research and it flies in the face of the experience of thousands of DVM families who send their boys to all boys schools (after they themselves have attended these same schools and are very familiar with the environments)

And yet it is stated as if it were almost certainly true.

Your opinion is your opinion. Mine is mine. Some folks will share your view, some will share mine. I like all-boys' schools very much as an educational option but see this as a potential drawback and something to think about and try to counter -- not as a reason to eschew all-boys' education. I would predict, also based on experience, that if you talk candidly with a range of experienced educators at all-boys' schools you will hear this as a concern and something they actively think about combating through the social curriculum, through activities with girls' schools, etc.

Research: http://www.singlesexschools.org/research-forboys.htm

[Anonymous]

If Baltimore area is an option, have a look at Gilman and Boy's Latin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our three boys went to area single sex schools.

I was surprised at just how much more relaxed and pleasant their high school experiences were for them vs. my own at one of the US's top open-enrollment public high schools.

There were fewer cliques than I saw in high school. They had a wider range of close friends and a very wide circle of boys they were friendly with.

Relieved of the constant pressure to compete for and/or impress girls they devoted more attention to academics, sports and just growing up.

There were plenty of girls in their lives after class and practice on weekends and during the Summer.

There is, of course, a social hierarchy at these single sex schools. Its just a simpler one based on the preferences and ideas of the boys.

Well said. We've found the same. Our three boys in all-boys and our two girls in all-girls have had much better experiences in high school than their peers at co-ed schools. Fewer cliques, more time to be themselves. Wish I had had the same experience in high school and I had what I thought was a great high school experience. Now I see what I was missing.

My sons attended all boy middle school. Even though it went through HS we chose to go co-ed for HS because I think boys need to learn to work cooperatively with girls. My sons have tons of friends that are girls and don't always view them as "somebody they need to impress". I think it is because they see them every day and have to work with them every day.

I love the all boys middle school, where boys could play sports mid-afternoon, but I find their friends that stayed at the all boys and other boys who switch to a different all boys, view girls as something you date, not as equals.

When my son goes somewhere with girls, they ask ... are you dating, is it a date... etc. Like they can't believe boys and girls just hang out together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our three boys went to area single sex schools.

I was surprised at just how much more relaxed and pleasant their high school experiences were for them vs. my own at one of the US's top open-enrollment public high schools.

There were fewer cliques than I saw in high school. They had a wider range of close friends and a very wide circle of boys they were friendly with.

Relieved of the constant pressure to compete for and/or impress girls they devoted more attention to academics, sports and just growing up.

There were plenty of girls in their lives after class and practice on weekends and during the Summer.

There is, of course, a social hierarchy at these single sex schools. Its just a simpler one based on the preferences and ideas of the boys.

Well said. We've found the same. Our three boys in all-boys and our two girls in all-girls have had much better experiences in high school than their peers at co-ed schools. Fewer cliques, more time to be themselves. Wish I had had the same experience in high school and I had what I thought was a great high school experience. Now I see what I was missing.

My sons attended all boy middle school. Even though it went through HS we chose to go co-ed for HS because I think boys need to learn to work cooperatively with girls. My sons have tons of friends that are girls and don't always view them as "somebody they need to impress". I think it is because they see them every day and have to work with them every day.

I love the all boys middle school, where boys could play sports mid-afternoon, but I find their friends that stayed at the all boys and other boys who switch to a different all boys, view girls as something you date, not as equals.

When my son goes somewhere with girls, they ask ... are you dating, is it a date... etc. Like they can't believe boys and girls just hang out together.

Okay. Guess we have had different family experiences and that gives us different results.

[Anonymous]

Warning- all-boys schools tend to make up a large portion of the preppy, athletic, elitist schools in Washington.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't call Landon or Georgetown Prep elitist schools.

More sporty than others, yes.

Any private school in this area where the tuition is over $25K you will find several preppy families. Not sure what your point is here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pro: schools like and can adjust to active boys in the classroom; often a real feeling of brotherhood; less distraction in classroom.
Con: can make it harder for the boys to have healthy and respectful friendships with girls -- you will want to think about how those sorts of relationships can be fostered (summer/outside activities, for example).

"Con: can make it harder for the boys to have healthy and respectful friendships with girls -- you will want to think about how those sorts of relationships can be fostered (summer/outside activities, for example)"

This, of course, may likely be sheer nonsense. It certainly isn't supported by any research and it flies in the face of the experience of thousands of DVM families who send their boys to all boys schools (after they themselves have attended these same schools and are very familiar with the environments)

And yet it is stated as if it were almost certainly true.

Your opinion is your opinion. Mine is mine. Some folks will share your view, some will share mine. I like all-boys' schools very much as an educational option but see this as a potential drawback and something to think about and try to counter -- not as a reason to eschew all-boys' education. I would predict, also based on experience, that if you talk candidly with a range of experienced educators at all-boys' schools you will hear this as a concern and something they actively think about combating through the social curriculum, through activities with girls' schools, etc.

Research: http://www.singlesexschools.org/research-forboys.htm

Great article. My DS is in his second year at an all boy's high school. He has never been more motivated to learn. Socially he is much more comfortable than he was in a coed environment...mainly because the distraction of girls and the drama that accompanies it is absent. There will be plenty of time in his life to develop relationships with women. I would much rather his focus be on academics and sports for now. And honestly, he is really shy and not ready to start the dating scene and all the pressures that go along with that. I just know he is happier now than he was in middle school (public).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't call Landon or Georgetown Prep elitist schools.

More sporty than others, yes.

Any private school in this area where the tuition is over $25K you will find several preppy families. Not sure what your point is here

Um Okay?

[Anonymous]

Ron Brown new public, looks fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ron Brown new public, looks fantastic.

Wow, that was a great article and the boys looked great in their blazers and ties. It would be wonderful if it is a success!

[Anonymous]

Our three boys went to area single sex schools.

I was surprised at just how much more relaxed and pleasant their high school experiences were for them vs. my own at one of the US's top open-enrollment public high schools.

There were fewer cliques than I saw in high school. They had a wider range of close friends and a very wide circle of boys they were friendly with.

Relieved of the constant pressure to compete for and/or impress girls they devoted more attention to academics, sports and just growing up.

There were plenty of girls in their lives after class and practice on weekends and during the Summer.

There is, of course, a social hierarchy at these single sex schools. Its just a simpler one based on the preferences and ideas of the boys.

This was super helpful and informative. Thank you! Can I ask the schools your boys went to? Seems to be a limited choice for younger boys but I particularly like what I have seen and read about just a couple right now and plan to go to open houses to find out mood and culture in more detail

[Anonymous]

You will have to wait until 6th grade. Entry years are first and sixth.
One or two may be added in off years but these are families with deep connections to the school.

Good luck.


What school does this refer to?