Emma Willard in the News
Girls’ school graduates have an edge, study reveals
April 2, 2009
mma Willard School announces the release of a study showing the benefits of single sex education for high school girls. Last week, UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute released the results of a well-documented study that shows a statistically significant advantage, backed by peer-reviewed research, of the effectiveness of girls’ schools.
The study was commissioned by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, of which Emma Willard School is a member. The survey questioned 6,552 women, now college freshman, from over 300 colleges, who are graduates of single-sex high schools and compared them to graduates of coeducation schools.
Compared to their peers from coeducational high schools, women from single-sex high schools show:
- Higher competence in math and computer skills as they enter the college arena. This study showed that 48 percent of women entering college from independent single-sex schools feel well-prepared in math, as compared to 36.6 percent from coed schools. A similar gap turned up when comparing computer skills.
- Stronger communications skills, both written and verbal.
- A higher degree of academic engagement. Women graduates of single-sex independent schools spend more time studying or doing homework, talking with teachers outside of class, tutoring peers, and studying with others. Indeed, 63 percent spend 11 plus hours a week studying or doing homework compared with 42 percent of the coeds.
- A higher degree of social and political activism.
Trudy Hall, Head of School at Emma Willard commented on the study, “It is good to see statistical findings that confirm what our students, parents and faculty know from experience. Emma Willard students and alumnae exemplify the qualities reflected in this research. Prior to this study our affirmations of the significant value in the single-sex experience came primarily from anecdotal information. Now those anecdotes are data driven.” The full study and supporting documents are available at www.ncgs.org.
About Emma Willard School: Since 1814, Emma Willard School has been one of the nation's leading college preparatory boarding and day schools for young women. At Emma Willard, every possible resource is dedicated to developing in students the values and skills that form the foundation of a life of accomplishment, leadership, and fulfillment. These include a love for the life of the mind, a commitment to service, courage and confidence, grace and creativity, and collaboration and friendship.
