Different Skills and Approach to Learning
Research has shown us that the girl brain and the boy brain are different, and this can be seen in the classroom and on the playground. Generally, girls develop their language and fine motor skills at an earlier age than boys, putting them ahead when it comes to reading, writing, printing and art. On the other hand, boys tend to develop their spatial and gross motor skills ahead of girls, giving them an advantage in math, science, and phys-ed in the early years. Psychological differences between girls and boys mean they approach learning very differently with girls preferring to work more thoroughly, while boys often race through their work, returning to revise at a later date. In a single-sex school, teachers can tailor their practice much more closely to the needs of their students.
Academic Culture
Girls’ schools create a culture of achievement in which academic progress is essential, and the discovery and development of a girls individual potential is paramount. Girls are more comfortable being perceived as ‘academic’ in the absence of boys.
Hard Subjects
Girls educated at a girl’s school are more likely to tackle what are often perceived as the hard subjects. In addition to the arts and humanities, 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 co-ed schools. At North Point, students have the opportunity to enrich their learning experience through our Engineering Academy, where they can spend time at our hands-on STEM lab; and through the Business Academy, which concentrates on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Their participation in our annual business fair gives them the opportunity to show off their entrepreneurial acumen. We are preparing North Point girls to become the business leaders of tomorrow.
Confidence/Risk Taking
Girls’ schools help girls to find their voices and to learn how to use them at a young age. Girls, who tend to be more risk adverse than boys, are far more likely to take risks in a single-sex environment. Without boys around, girls are less inclined to think they might look silly.
Leadership
Girls’ schools are places where girls take centre stage and are presented with many opportunities to take the lead. Leadership opportunities and female role models start girls on a trajectory of leadership expectation.
Athletics
Girls are more likely to participate in sport and exercise in girls’ schools. One of society’s most frustrating problems in developing female health is that teenage girls quit playing sports at an early age. At North Point, all of our students are exposed to an array of athletics. North Point offers soccer, basketball and hockey and we are currently exploring academies in dance and volleyball.
We understand Girls
- Girls develop different skills at different stages than boys.
- Girls are multi-taskers.
- Girls mature earlier than boys – physically and socially.
- Girls tend to be motivated by relationships.
- Girls process emotions differently than boys.
- Girls have a greater propensity to become addicted to social media, making them more vulnerable to social pressures.
It is with this understanding that we have created an environment that celebrates girls’ strengths and interests, and nurtures their overall growth.
Positive Social Development
At North Point, we want to create a culture of achievement where discovery and development of a girl’s individual potential is paramount. It is critical that girls build resilience and a strong sense of self. Like in our boys program, mentorship is key.