Fact: Not only do students from all-girls schools live a life of succesful co-existence outside the classroom, but the self-esteem and confidence imbued in an all-girls school enables them to deal with any co-ed situation with confidence. Indeed, all-girls learning environments engage students in activities that prepare them for life beyond the classroom. 

“Single-sex programs…create an institutional and classroom climate in which female students can express themselves freely and frequently, and develop higher order thinking skills.” — Dr. Rosemary C. Salomone, Columbia University’s Teacher College Record

Fact: Of course San Silvestre girls know boys. Not only do they interact with them in their neighborhood, at the beach, and at social events, but in an array of interschool events, like MUN (Model United Nations) conferences, sports competitions, regional conferences, among others. The only place our girls do not talk to boys is in the classroom, where we teach them the value of their own voice. Since San Silvestre girls are empowered to use their voices with confidence, they have healthier interactions with boys wherever they interact with them.

Fact: Girls’ schools are more relevant today than ever before. Mixed schools were introduced in Europe in the 18^th century to allow girls exposure to a more academic curriculum rather than one merely based on social graces, sewing and playing the piano. In the 21^st Century, single-sex schools offer a wide range of core and foundation subjects as in any mixed schools. It is the approach to teaching and learning that is bespoke, to truly maximize girls’ potential. Some single-sex schools may become mixed for the wrong reasons, not because it is believed to be more modern or best for girls but because girls are believed to help create a calmer atmosphere, to boost examination results, to help encourage boys to accept that music, poetry, theatre are acceptable in the curriculum, or simply to increase numbers.

“Females especially do better academically in single-sex schools and colleges across a variety of cultures. …Single-sex schools help to improve student achievement.” —Dr. Cornelius Riordan, Providence College, Girls and Boys in School: Together or Separate?

Fact: An All-Girls school does not shelter their students from the real world. On the contrary, the greater sense of respect that girls feel at an All-Girls school 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 area.

We create a safe environment for girls to try new things and find out who they are. Our staff know each girl as an individual and understand the best ways to help her develop her full potential. Really, at an All-Girls school, girls receive the best possible preparation to tackle the real world head on.

“Academic studies and countless anecdotes make it clear that being interrupted, talked over, shut down or penalized for speaking out is nearly a universal experience for women when they are outnumbered by men.” —The New York Times, “The Universal Phenomenon of Men Interrupting Women.”

Fact: In order to achieve excellent results in a range of international examinations, schools must offer a world-class broad curriculum, including both the arts and sciences. In single sex schools, the absence of opposite gender pressures allows students more freedom to explore different educational experiences and excel in territories that may otherwise be left unexplored. In San Silvestre, girls can choose and 100% of them are admitted to the whole range of programmes in the most prestigious national and international universities.

“Girls’ school grads are 6 times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology compared to girls who attend coed schools.” —Goodman Research Group, The Girls’ School Experience: A Survey of Young Alumnae of Single-Sex Schools

Fact: All-Girls schools are places where girls take centre stage.  In fact, every aspect of a girls’ school – from the classroom to the athletic field to the academic programme – is designed for girls. By subtracting boys, an all-girls education adds opportunities for girls.

Whether a girl wants to be an astronaut, ambassador, author, or attorney, girls need to know – not just think, but really know, deep down – that there’s nothing that can stand in their way. That’s the incredibly important message that girls’ schools send to girls each and every day. We believe this message, embedded in the fabric of all girls’ schools, provides powerful, relevant advantages and creates the best environment for girls to learn, grow, and develop.

At their heart, an All-Girls school is a place of leadership, a place where community and collaboration, agency and self-efficacy flourishes.

“Programmes at girls’ schools focus on the development of teamwork over other qualities of leadership, while the qualities of confidence, compassion, and resilience also rank prominently”. —Dr. Nicole Archard, Student Leadership Development in Australian and New Zealand Secondary Girls’ Schools: A Staff Perspective