I am a product of an all-girls high school, and compared to the co-ed schools I attended, I believe it was the best educational experience of my life.
That’s why I was surprised to hear how much controversy is swirling about these days, over whether single-gender schools do more harm than good. Back in the day, if you went to one of Buffalo’s Catholic elementary schools (most private schools were Catholic back then) you typically went on to attend a Catholic high school, and most Catholic high schools at that time were single sex. Parents, as far as I can remember, never questioned whether that was good or bad, so why all the hullabaloo today?
Single-sex education existed long before I went to school, dating back to at least the 1800s. My school, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, was actually established as a boarding school for girls in 1891. In the 1970s, when attitudes about same-sex schooling began to change, “The Mount” as we called it, began to admit boys. Less than 20 years later, the high school closed due to declining enrollment.
Today the controversy is not only over private, single-sex schools, but public ones. In early December, concepts for the proposed Shirley Chisholm School of Leadership for Young Women and the Barack Obama Leadership Academy for Young Men were presented to the Buffalo school board. Advocates argued that studies have shown that single-gender schools “help deter negative behaviors while limiting distractions and raising the competence and self-esteem levels of male and female students alike.”[1]
Opponents of single-sex education, however, argue that separating children by gender is sexist, leads to gender stereotyping, and offers no proven benefit. According to an article in The Atlantic magazine, a meta-analysis of 184 studies covering 1.6 million students from 21 countries indicates that “any purported benefits to single-sex education over coeducation, when looking at well-designed, controlled studies, are nonexistent to minimal.” [2]
OK, maybe the benefits of going to an all-girls high school can’t be proven scientifically, but I can attest to my own experience. Back when I went to school, educational and career expectations for teenage boys and girls were very different. For example, when you took the anonymized Kuder Occupational test in your senior year, the results were listed in two different columns. If you were a male, it said, you were most likely to be successful in these careers (for me, journalist, biologist, psychiatrist). The second column of careers, based on the exact same scores, were completely different if you were a female. I would probably have become a teacher or a nurse if I’d paid any attention to it. (I didn’t.)
The school I attended operated on the principle that girls could become whatever they wanted, if they worked hard enough. Even back then, my fellow Mounties and I were determined to get into good colleges. We took advanced placement courses and studied calculus, physics, and macroeconomics. We held leadership positions on the Student Council, Model UN, and debate team. We learned to have confidence in our abilities, to set ambitious goals, to speak boldly in the classroom, and expect others to listen to us.
No one was ever embarrassed about being too nerdy (I remember the boy in 6th grade who told me, after seeing all “A’s” on my report card, “No guy will ever want to go out with you”). We all wore the same boring black uniforms, so no one got to be “cool,” based on how they dressed.
Most importantly, we developed deep, intellectual, and lasting relationships with other girls, rather than investing all our energy in fleeting high school romances. I am told that boys had similar experiences in same-sex schools, often forging lifelong relationships with their peers.
I keep in touch with high school friends to this day, despite the geographical distance between us. If there is anything I learned from the ongoing isolation of the pandemic years, it is that true friendships are of far greater value than any college degrees I earned, or career successes I enjoyed.
Perhaps times have changed to the point where this old educational model is no longer appropriate, thus the raging debate. This year, my fellow Mounties and I hope to celebrate our Class of ’72 milestone reunion. We’ve heard from classmates living as far away as Sweden that they hope to attend. I am eager to hear whether their views of the benefits of our type of education are similar to mine. I’d be surprised if they weren’t.
Did you ever attend a single-gender school? Were your experiences good, bad, or indifferent? I would love to hear your views on this, in the comments below.
Moxie Gardiner is a writer and gardener who grew up on the West Side of Buffalo, NY. In a previous life she was a journalist, magazine editor, speech writer, and policy wonk. Back in the day she made three solo parachute jumps, flew in an F-15 fighter jet, and crawled through mud pits at the Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama. She now meditates and practices yoga. She is almost ready to publish her first novel, set in Buffalo.
[1] https://buffalonews.com/news/local/single-sex-academies-could-debut-in-buffalo-public-school-district-as-early-as-2023/article_f39443f2-589b-11ec-b29f-37515f890d36.html
[2] https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/03/the-never-ending-controversy-over-all-girls-education/284508/#:~:text=The%20Never-Ending%20Controversy%20Over%20All-Girls%20Education%20It%27s%20extremely,said%20she%20would%20never%20attend%20an%20all-girls%20school.
I am from the Mount class of ’67. Like Eileen, I attended a women’s college, but attribute my success in the workplace and life in general, to the Mount. I never felt that I was inferior to a male or that I was anything but equal, or maybe a bit better! Going to the Mount helped me to grow as an individual without the distraction of boys. I was active in debate and oratory. My confidence came from the classroom, where our opinions were valued. When I entered a debate, I already knew that no boy could out-debate me. Math and science were my downfall, while I excelled in my other classes. Senior year, a humanities class was offered in conjunction with Canisius College. My average, which was pulled down by math and science was too low to qualify. I went to Sister Mary Agnes and argued that I should be admitted to the program and should not be held back simply because I was not good in something that had nothing to do with the course being offered. She reconsidered and I did well in the class. We were treated as individuals, were supported and respected for our thoughts. One of the buzz words in human ecology today, is grit. The Mount infused us with a generous dose of grit, along with compassion, respect for each other and the understanding that we could, in our own individual ways, make a mark on the world. For me, it would not have happened without the Mount, an all-girl’s school. I wish every girl could experience high school as we did.
Alana, thank you so much for your comments. I particularly like your observation about grit. I couldn’t agree more–we left the Mount with enough grit to take on whatever we might face in the coming years, from college, career, and family challenges–to the Cold War, Vietnam, Sept 11th and a COVID pandemic. I, like you, wish that every child could attend the kind of high school we did, boy or girl.
I also feel strongly about my experience at MSJA. But perhaps studies show no clear benefit because not all single gender schools are created equal. Maybe the benefit came as much from the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph toward educating women as it did from being a single sex environment. While some all-girl Catholic schools in the nation may have been little more than finishing schools, “The Mount” pushed back against gender stereotypes of the times and empowered their students. The school hired teachers who believed in us as women, designed courses that expanded our minds, and established extra curricular activities that prepared us for the future. I internalized all of that during my years at the school, became confident and strong, and felt —even at the time— that the girl who graduated from MSJA would shake up the world. Today, although concepts of gender are changing, misogynist attitudes are still deeply engrained in American culture. My high school allowed my mind to be free from that ingrained prejudice. I don’t know for certain if all single gender academies did this quite as well.
Marie, thank you for your very thoughtful comments on this topic. I completely agree, not all single gender schools have the same capacity to shape their students the way MSJA did. Our school, as you say, was way ahead of its time in terms of gender equality. We were taught to be bold and outspoken, and to defend our positions with methodical research, rigorous analysis, and creative synthesis. Thus we were well equipped when we entered college, and afterward, the workplace. I cannot comment on whether other single gender academies did this as well–I’m hoping to hear from others about the quality of their single gender education.
Graduated from MSJA in 1964 – do believe I rode a dinosaur to and from school at that time – quite sure that is what my grandkids would think – would not trade one moment of those four years – blessed to have had an excellent education – principal was Sister Mary Agnes I think – the only lay teacher we had was the gym teacher – Oh – those golden good old days. The fact that it was an “all girls school” surely was not a drawback – only a plus. Had one brother graduate from St. Joe’s Collegiate and one from Bishop Turner – I had the Sisters of St. Joseph in grade school at St. Mary Magdalene – remember segregated classes then in the upper grades – the boys were taught by the Christian Brothers. So many treasured memories.
Thank you so much for your comment, Sandra. I’m glad this blog brought back good memories for you of a very special place and time. I look forward to hearing from you again!
Sooo many thoughts on this one!!! First, MSJA was where I met that brainy, funny, creative, mutual friend Deb Gallagher – and some other good people, whom I still call friends today. Second, the Mount was an exceptional place, even among same-sex schools of its day: the young women who stayed in South Buffalo for Mt Mercy Academy or Our Lady of Victory didn’t experience the wealth of love and wisdom with which we “Mounties” were showered by the faculty. I am going to go out on a limb to say that many of them were not challenged in the ways that we were, either. (That “Kuder Occupational Test” told me, in no particular order, that I should be a teacher or enter religious life. Never suggested “scientist”. Hmmm.) Third, even then we knew that we were willing to raise our hands to talk in class, in a way that would not have happened if there were “boys” in front of whom we’d be self-conscious. Last, some perspective that I’ve only recalled very recently: a few years after we graduated, some of us went back for a day to visit with students and teachers. We stopped to talk to Vince Morelli, who shared an amazing observation: he said the Class of ‘72 had far more “really intelligent” students than any class he’d seen, before or since. We had something very special – we knew it then, and we have perspective now to appreciate it all the more. I’ll end there, except to say that I’ll toss a hat into the ring to help organize a reunion: I’m quasi-local (I live on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution). If you read this, and you want to participate, Moxie Gardner knows how to find me.
Hello Mary Ellen! And thank you for your insights on this topic. I’ll start with your last point first. THANK YOU for helping to organize our reunion!! I will let Deb know and ask her to post it on the MSJA Facebook page, if you don’t mind. If we could get a committee of three or four together that would be great. And we’ll ask everyone on that page to contact at least one other friend who graduated in 1972. Second, I agree MSJA was exceptional and much of that had to with the quality of our teachers. I was fortunate to be taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph most of my 13 years in Catholic school, and it was not only their subject matter knowledge, but their determination to challenge us, that made us the strong women we are today. As far as being an exceptional class, well I don’t know about that. I do know we sure made a ruckus!
Hi Moxie, I enjoyed reading your article on single sex schools. I also went to an all women’s college (Saint Mary’s College, across the street from Notre Dame). Saint Mary’s is one of the few women’s colleges left in the country, but it continues to find value in this type of education. I agree with the points you made about the freedom that this gives girls to do and be what they want without the burden of “what will a boy think of me if I do that”. I loved the Mount and our time there. I love seeing the pictures you included too.
I haven’t heard anything about a reunion but I hope it could happen. I hear from the Sisters in Clarence and it is good to know so many of them are still doing well. Eileen
So good to hear from you Eileen! Our days at the Mount were truly special, weren’t they. I very much hope we can get it together for a reunion this year, but I haven’t heard that a committee has been formed or anyone has taken the lead. Hopefully, this blog will reach some of our old classmates and we’ll be able to get it together. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Enjoyed your remembrances and your perspectives. I graduated from Bishop Turner in ‘72 with 238 classmates. Catholic high school did a great job preparing me for a successful college experience and developed habits that are still used today. Life was certainly simpler then! Remember going to Friday night dances at the Mount.
Thanks for your comments, Jim! Maybe we were at some of the Mount dances at the same time (I went to every one), and who knows, even danced together! I remember Bishop Turner as a good school and I’m glad to hear you had the same kind of experience I did. I think we were fortunate.