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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Mater Dei School. Enough said.

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.

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).

Ha! The NYT is thoroughly ideological and this plays into their preferred narrative.

Mater Dei School. Enough said.

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).

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:The Heights is a great option for athletic, outdoorsy boys. https://heights.edu/

The Heights is grades 3 - 12. In Maryland. Seen as "very" Catholic and conservative, as the Catholic education is overseen by the very conservative Opus Dei order. Personally, I'm not a fan of the all-male faculty -- at other all-boys' school having women teachers can provide some excellent non-family adult female role models -- but others swear by it as a model so I'm sure it's just a matter of preference.

The Heights is a great option for athletic, outdoorsy boys. https://heights.edu/

Anonymous wrote:What about St. Anselm's Abbey. I've only ever heard good things about this place.

http://www.saintanselms.org

St. Anselm's Abbey is a great option. Grades 6 - 12. Catholic school and very small (the graduating class is around 30). It is seen as an intellectual place -- there are sports but (in part because of the very small size) it is not seen as a "sporty" school. Good place for a smart, independently thinking boy.

What about St. Anselm's Abbey. I've only ever heard good things about this place.

http://www.saintanselms.org

There are a fair amount of all boys high schools but not as many that start at the lower grades. St. Albans (D.C.) starts in 4th grade; Landon in MD starts in 3rd, I think?; Catholic school Mater Dei (MD) is elementary through 8th grade and many of their students go on to Georgetown Prep and Gonzaga for high school.

Of those schools above, St. Albans is probably perceived as the most academic although there are certainly bright kids at all of them. Maybe try going to some open houses in the fall to see if your family likes the feel of some of the all-boys' options?

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).

Interested in the pros and cons of sending a 9/10 year old boy to an all boys school and looking for recommendations for VA, Dc and MD for active, athletic boy.