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If you’re considering attending a private high school, you have a big decision to make. Do you want to go to a co-ed or all-boys school? After getting the answer to, “What are the benefits of an all-boys school,” it’ll be much easier to decide.
Let’s dive in, so you’ll understand why many parents and students prefer this option.
Benefits of Attending an All-Boys School
Parents and students alike are often surprised by the numerous benefits of attending an all-boys high school. From building confidence to achieving academic success, the benefits are long-lasting and put students on the path to success.
All-Boys Schools Create Comfortable Environment for Students
Young men may worry about making mistakes or failing when girls are around, so they may avoid taking risks in co-ed learning environments. Unfortunately, the fear of embarrassment and failure can lead to behavioral and academic problems.
Fortunately, students can relax and feel comfortable at an all-boys school. They’ll be free of gender stereotyping, allowing them to pursue their interests and try new things. This gives boys a chance to find themselves and discover what they want to do in life.
It also means they might be happier in high school, which will result in better behavior at school and home. Thus, this is a big reason that both parents and their sons often prefer all-boys private high schools.
Boys Grow and Mature at Their Own Pace
You’ve likely heard that girls mature faster than boys, but it might be more significant than you realize. By the time girls finish puberty, their brains are often around two years ahead of boys the same age. This means that girls typically have stronger impulse control and judgment when compared to teenage boys.
It all evens out by the time boys reach late adolescence or their early 20s, but it can cause them to struggle when attending a co-ed high school. They can also become frustrated and lose confidence when teachers at co-ed schools compare them to female students.
Fortunately, an all-boys school allows students to grow and develop at their own pace. They will benefit from programs tailored to their learning styles and won’t worry about unflattering and needless comparisons. Instead, they can focus on learning in a way that makes sense for them. This will put them on track to earning a college degree and embarking on a successful career.
Make Lifelong Friends
Dating is often a primary extracurricular activity at co-ed schools. Thus, boys often spend more time pursuing girls than bonding with male friends. This can leave them without a solid foundation when they go onto college and start their careers.
It’s much different at an all-boys school, though. Without girls as a distraction, boys can put more time and energy into fostering bonds with other students. All-boys schools also facilitate these bonds with retreats and other special activities.
By the time boys leave high school, they have lifelong friends they can turn to at any point down the road. hey’ll always treasure those friendships they forged at their all-boys private school.
They’ll also appreciate how those friendships helped them develop other meaningful relationships in college and after starting their careers.
Become a Larger Part of the High School Experience
Boys often shy away from leadership roles in school because they worry about judgment. However, students might discover that they are natural-born leaders after attending an all-boys high school.
Boys tend to feel a little more confident when participating in student government and other activities at these schools. So, they invest even more in their school and peers while discovering how rewarding that kind of dedication can be. This can also set them up for success in the future.
Gender Stereotypes Don’t Hold Boys Back
Boys who attend co-ed schools sometimes struggle to conform to gender stereotypes. Thus, they think they should put all their time and energy into playing sports and shouldn’t explore other areas of interest, such as theater.
However, that’s not the case at an all-boys private school. Because the entire student body is male, there’s no judgment when it comes to joining groups.
While some boys play sports, others immerse themselves in theater or join something that speaks to them, like a French club. They’ll never have to worry about being the only boy in their group of choice, so they’ll feel more confident in their selection.
They’ll also find that high school is much more enjoyable when they’re free to pursue their true interests instead of engaging in activities based on stereotypes.
Are There Any Drawbacks to an All-Boys School?
Some all-boys schools don’t have relationships with all-girls schools. Thus, these schools don’t provide enough interaction for students, which can be a drawback.
Fortunately, you can easily avoid this problem by attending a private high school that partners with a sister school. For instance, St. John Bosco High School has a partnership with Saint Joseph High School.
While the boys attend classes at St. John Bosco, they also engage in extracurricular activities with the girls from Saint Joseph.
Some of the joint activities include:
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Theater arts
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Marching band/color guard
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Pep squads
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School dances, such as Prom and Homecoming
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Rallies
This is far from an exhaustive list of the activities boys and girls enjoy together when attending their respective schools.
Explore The Campus at an All-Boys School
You can experience the benefits yourself by visiting an all-boys school. Instead of just driving by, schedule an on-campus tour at St. John Bosco High School.
You can RSVP for an on-campus tour online. Then, you’ll be ready to immerse yourself in the culture and environment of a top-rated all-boys school.