Empowering Girls

Girls’ schools are places where girls take centre stage. They occupy every seat in student government, every spot on the math team, and every position in the robotics club. In fact, every aspect of a girls’ school – from the classroom to the athletic field to the academic programme – is designed for girls. A girls’ school environment adds opportunities for girls.

Whether a girl wants to be an astronaut, ambassador, author, or attorney, she needs to know—not just think, but really know, deep down—that there’s nothing that can stand in her way. That’s the incredibly important message girls’ schools send to girls each and every day.

That message, embedded in the nature of girls’ schools, provides powerful, relevant advantages and creates the best environments for girls to learn, grow, and develop.

Girls’ schools are leading the way in STEM education for women in the world. Graduates of girls’ schools are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology and three times more likely to consider engineering compared to girls who attended coed schools.

Why does this happen?

Research by the International Coalition of Girls' Schools tells us it’s for a variety of reasons, but most notably, it’s that students at girls’ schools have an unlimited number of STEM role models. Research findings note it’s beneficial and powerful for girls, in particular, “to see it in order to be it.” So when every student in advanced physics or on the sports team is a girl, then every other girl at the school gets the clear message that they can excel in those areas.

Girls’ schools prepare girls to become women who rise to the highest levels of leadership. 

Girls’ schools foster girls’ voices and encourage girls to exercise their voice at a young age.

At girls’ schools, students are encouraged—really, expected—to speak their minds, without interruption. A national survey found that nearly 87% of girls’ school students feel their voices—their opinions—are respected compared to 58% of girls at coed schools.

Girls’ schools do not shelter their students from the real world. To the contrary, the greater sense of respect that girls feel at girls’ schools enables them to better find and use their voices, first in the classroom, and then beyond in boardrooms, on the political stage, or in any other arena.

As a father of two daughters who attended BHS from Y1 to Y13, I've witnessed first-hand how such an environment not only nurtures academic growth, but also fosters passion and confidence, equipping young women with the leadership and collaborative skills that are very valuable in life and the modern workforce.

 - Jessel Mendes, BHS Trustee and Former Parent

 

At their heart, girls’ schools are places of leadership. Places where community and collaboration, agency and self-efficacy flourish. But most of all, girls’ schools are places of incredible innovation.

Young women at girls’ schools are inspired to become informed, engaged global citizens who lead with courage, competence, and empathy. Research has proven girls’ school graduates display stronger community involvement, greater cultural competency, and increased political engagement.