A Parent's Guide To Pros & Cons Of School Types — Variations

3. Same-Sex Schools

Definition: A school that only admits either male or female students. Most experts agree that boys and girls learn differently; same-sex schools attempt to tailor education to suit the learning styles of either male or female students.

Pros of all-boy schools:

• Boys tend to be more impulsive and energetic. An all-boy school can tailor instruction accordingly, such as incorporating movement in learning and frequently checking in to maintain attention & understanding

• Boys generally mature later than girls. An all-boy environment boosts confidence by preventing them from being compared to female classmates

• Boys are less concerned with gender stereotypes and more likely to participate in untraditional subjects like drama or choir

• Environment tends to make boys less competitive and more collaborative

Pros of all-girl schools:

• Girls are more likely to participate in extracurriculars and class discussions when they aren’t self-conscious about how boys perceive them

• Puts less pressure on girls as they go through puberty

• Studies show that boys are more disruptive in class; with less disruptions, girls can have less interruptions in their learning

• Girls have higher involvement in sports since co-ed schools tend to pour more resources into male sports

• Girls are empowered to excel in male dominated fields such as science and math

Cons of Same Sex Schools:

• Don’t prepare kids for co-ed settings in the real world

• Children are unable to develop healthy opposite-sex relationships

• Less of an emphasis on respect and understanding of the opposite sex

• Can reinforce gender stereotyping and feelings of gender inequality

• Because the genders are not used to being intertwined, there is a heightened want to impress the other when they’re together

• Can lead to unrealistic expectations on how men and women should look and act

• No empirical evidence has shown societal benefits of same-sex education

4. Charter School

Definition: Charters are paid for with public dollars but are led by their own elected board members, making them public schools with private oversight. Charters operate under a contract agreeing to meet certain academic goals and in return receive exemptions from some government regulations. These exemptions allow the schools more freedom in teaching methods, as long as students meet the academic goals outlined in the charter.

Pros:

• Smaller class sizes

• Some research suggests that charters improve test scores of low-income students, reducing the achievement gap

• Charter students are more likely to attend a 4-year college rather than a 2-year

• Charter school students are twice as likely to take AP exams than peers at regular public schools

• Charter students average higher SAT scores than public school students

• Family-oriented atmosphere, as parental involvement is encouraged

• Offers diverse teaching techniques

• Schools are obligated under contract to meet certain performance standards

• Less behavioral problems than traditional public schools

• More flexibility to try new things and use hands-on learning

• Gives families a free alternative to their assigned public school

Cons:

• Transportation options are few to none, causing longer bus routes or requiring parents to drive

• Often require parent volunteer hours which can be difficult for working parents

• Less racial and economic diversity

• Has more rigorous graduation criteria than public school, causing some students to require a 5th year to graduate

• Fewer extra-curricular opportunities

• Often receive less funding than regular public schools

• Because charters are contract-bound, they run the risk of being closed if they don’t meet their criteria

• Admissions can be biased, difficult, and are often lottery based

• Some charters don’t accept special education students

5. Magnet School

Definition: Magnet schools are part of the local public-school system but usually have a unique focus such as STEM, the arts, or language immersion. While students are still taught a range of subjects, their curriculum is taught through the lens of the school theme. Like Charter schools, magnets provide a free public option with a more private school feel.

Pros:

• Receives more funding than traditional public schools so they’re able to spend more on supplies, salaries, and programming

• Smaller class sizes

• Curriculum caters to a child’s passions & interests

• Attracts a more diverse student body representing various neighborhoods rather than one zoned area

• Students tend to surpass achievements they would have made at their assigned public school

• Engaging, hands-on learning style

• Known for high-quality faculty, as educators are paid higher and seniority is less of a priority than suitability to teach the magnet curricula

Cons:

• The selection process can exclude kids with lower grades or behavior issues

• Some say that magnet schools take away from other public schools by recruiting the brightest students

• Low-income, non-native English-speaking students and special needs students are often underrepresented

• Admissions can be biased, difficult, and are often lottery based

The takeaway

Choosing the best school for your kid is no easy task. With countless variables and your child’s unique needs, it can be helpful to get professional support to make a decision you feel great about. Our Educational Psychologists can evaluate your child’s gifts, challenges, and needs, and provide an expert opinion on the best schooling option to unlock their potential.

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