Elizabeth Falco, Canadian Liaison for The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), challenges us to imagine a school where every student in the jazz band is a girl. The captain of the touch football team is a girl. The student council is made up of all girls. Girls win poetry contests and physics competitions. Girls are on stage and backstage.
They design robots, produce documentary films and paint expressive murals. They lead the environmental club and the Hip Hop class. They debate world issues and take on social causes with compassion.
This is what Falco, who is also the Head of School at The Study, an all-girls independent day school in Montreal, Quebec, witnesses every day.
She says that girls’ schools offer an environment where students don’t hesitate to ask questions, make mistakes, express their feelings or state their opinions.
“They are nurtured, empowered and celebrated,” she says. “Girls’ schools are successful in transforming the lives of young women because of their focused learning environment, their unique culture and climate and the endless opportunities for leadership development.”
All-girls schools are designed to cater to their students, their developmental needs, and the unique ways in which they learn.
Teachers at all-girls schools are specialists of girls’ learning.
“In general, girls prefer communicative and collaborative approaches where connections are made with people and concepts,” Falco says.
According to Falco, teachers in all-girls schools are attuned to the socio-emotional development of girls and are able to shape the teaching-learning environment to meet the students’ needs and interests.
Removing the gender variable in the classroom helps teachers optimize each girl’s unique potential, Falco says.
Research provided by the NCGS shows that 82 percent of recent girl’s school graduates are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the how well their schools instilled self-confidence and that 84 percent give their schools top marks for providing leadership opportunities.
Girls thrive while taking centre stage. As a result, students who attend schools for girls are more likely to succeed at, and stick with courses such as math, science and technology, the NCGS reports.
“The single-sex environment allows girls to explore their true selves—to articulate their opinions and feelings in class, to create playful and silly skits at assembly, cheer loudly on House Days and take intellectual risks in their curricular and co-curricular programs,” says Falco. “Class time is spent focused on learning.”
High standards and support from both teachers and peers drive students to achieve. Alumnae of girls’ schools readily attribute their confidence and success to the all-girls’ environment and value the strong network of women they have established through their schools, according to Falco.
At all-girls schools, the role models for leadership and citizenship in all aspects of school life—academics, athletics, arts and community—are girls. This sets high expectations for students and provides endless opportunities.
“Accomplishments—whether big or small, public or private—are valued by everyone. There are no glass ceilings,” says Falco.
“Girls have a strong sense of themselves and their capabilities and are determined to make a difference."
ERA’s environmental and social mandate [Read more]
Well-being and belonging at Trinity College School [Read more]
Trinity College School’s financial assistance program [Read more]
The progressive Kindergarten program at Hudson College [Read more]
Toronto, Ontario — The Bishop Strachan School is a leading independent JK-Grade 12 day & boarding school for girls. Students build the academic skills to thrive at university and beyond. Over $2 million available in financial assistance. View School Profile.
Grades:
JK to 12 (Girls)
Type:
Progressive, Reggio Emilia
Tuition:
$35,800 to $69,145
Living:
Day/Boarding
Enrollment:
1000
Avg. Class:
18 to 20
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Toronto, Ontario — Branksome Hall is Toronto’s only all-girls, all-years International Baccalaureate (IB) World School developing the leaders of tomorrow through the nurturing of curiosity and critical thinking at every age. View School Profile.
Grades:
JK to 12 (Girls)
Type:
Liberal Arts, International Baccalaureate
Tuition:
$37,130 to $75,020
Living:
Boarding/Day
Enrollment:
960
Avg. Class:
16 to 22
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Toronto, Ontario — Havergal has been preparing young women to make a difference since 1894 through its innovative curriculum and future-ready programming with a focus on wellness and student agency. View School Profile.
Grades:
JK to 12 (Girls)
Type:
Liberal Arts
Tuition:
$36,950 to $68,540
Living:
Boarding/Day
Enrollment:
1000
Avg. Class:
18 to 22
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Toronto, Ontario — Our goal is for SCS students to understand learning as an outcome in and of itself. Learning that doesn't follow a straight path. And if it gets messy, that's okay, because at SCS it's safe to explore and be who you are. View School Profile.
Grades:
1 to 12 (Girls)
Type:
Liberal Arts
Tuition:
$34,500
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
460
Avg. Class:
16
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featured
Oakville's SMLS continues to be a premier independent school for girls Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 since 1891. "Millie" graduates take on the world with confidence and the knowledge that they can do anything.
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featured
Hawthorn School is located in Toronto. We offer a co-ed toddler-SK program and an all girls program for grade 1- grade 12. Our unique mentoring program is tailored to help students reach their full potential.
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featured
Elmwood School is Ottawa's pre-eminent school for girls from PreK to Gr. 12. Our high academic standards, small class sizes and safe, supportive environment ensure that each girl is inspired to reach her full potential.
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featured
St. Margaret's School is a girl-centred day and boarding school, and Canada's first-all-girls STEM-X school where leadership skills are a focus.
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In our all-girls environment, academic achievement in both official languages is the norm. A Joan of Arc Academy bilingual education prepares the women leaders for the challenges of tomorrow. Come and see the difference.
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With a global network of schools around the world, a rich and proud history, and a strong and unique set of core values, Sacred Heart offers not just an education but an experience that is unparalleled in Nova Scotia.
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Trafalgar Castle offers a close-knit, academically challenging environment where girls feel a strong sense of belonging and discover their unique talents and interests.
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A Canadian Private Secondary Boarding school, located in the heart of London, Ontario. LIA is authorized to grant the Ontario Secondary School and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
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The Study, founded in 1915, is one of Canada's premier all-girls' schools. Dedicated teachers offer a warm and stimulating bilingual mother-tongue environment from Kindergarten to Grade 11. The World Needs Great Women.
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The Linden School's transformative teaching and socially-progressive values inspire academic excellence, wellness, and civic engagement, empowering students to become changemakers ready to take on complex global issues.
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Heuristic & autodidactic, inspired by Sudbury & democratic models. Students are self-directed, and holistically empowered. Voluntary attendance, year-round calendar, agency, & consent inspire free learning. Also Forest
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Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School offers a Tier 1 education for girls from K-11, located in Westmount, Qc. We develop bold leaders and creative thinkers — equipping each girl to be the entrepreneur of her own future.
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We offer a supportive environment for girls’ learning with a strong sense of community. We encourage the love of learning in a place of belonging that nurtures resilience, inspires creativity, and celebrates diversity.
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In addition to academics, our focus on mentorship, hands-on learning in and outside the classroom, and character development, will allow our students to thrive academically and personally as they discover who they are.
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We strive to take the best aspects of Catholic teaching & interpret it in a modern context for the confident young woman of today. They are imbued with a strong work ethic, sense of purpose & a desire to change the world
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With over 120 years of excellence in all-girls’ education, our rigorous academic program is complemented by strong arts, design technology and athletic programs. Financial assistance is available.
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Girls at St. Anne's will thrive in an inspirational and progressive learning environment. The school’s focus on STEM/STEAM, community giving, leadership, and wellness will develop well-rounded, global-minded citizens.
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Since 1861, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, the city’s only all-girls English Catholic high school, has been preparing girls to change the world. We offer grades 7 to 12, day school and boarding.
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Girls' schools
Guide to private schools for girls (September 24, 2019)
Testimonials: What it's like at an all-girls school
Students share what they love most about their experience (September 24, 2019)
How single-sex schools let kids flourish
A more in depth look at the learning differences between boys and girls (August 14, 2019)
Coed vs. single-sex schools
Do girls and boys learn better together or separately? (August 14, 2019)
