How Girls Learn

esearch shows that girls learn differently from boys. A girls’ school like Emma Willard focuses every resource on the intellectual and emotional development of girls, with courses and teaching strategies that support girls’ particular learning styles. A school like ours also provides girls with the freedom to be their full selves—without educational or social distractions.

In an Emma classroom, it’s cool for girls to be raising questions and constructing the right answers—they need not sacrifice intelligence for popularity. Academic excellence is a hallmark of girls’ schools.

What happens to a girl on the way from childhood to womanhood?

At ten…

She doesn’t know who she’s “supposed” to be. She only knows who she is, and she’s on excellent terms with herself. Self-assured, resilient and decisive, she is open to life and excited about the future. She feels she is in control of her destiny and has made plans to be a lawyer… or a neurosurgeon… or a forest ranger… or a dancer.

At 14…

Her style has changed. Her conversation is hedged with disclaimers: “I’m not sure…” or “I guess so…” or “This might sound dumb….” She has a lot on her mind, worrying about her looks and her clothes, who likes her and who doesn’t, afraid boys will notice her – and afraid they won’t.

As she goes through this passage of adolescence, she becomes increasingly conscious of herself as a woman and, at the same time, aware of the expectations our society has for women. And she gets subtle (and not so subtle) messages from adults. She’s expected to be cooperative, not assertive; to suspend her curiosity rather than to take intellectual risks. This occurs despite her home environment.

The National Association of Girls’ Schools invites you to ask the following of your daughter’s current classroom experience:

Are girls actively involved, called on, and encouraged to participate equally?

Do teachers understand and respond to the way girls learn?

Are girls on the front lines of leadership?

Are there women role models? Women in leadership positions on the faculty? In the administration?

Does her school value and support girls’ sports equally with boys’?

Do girls persist and excel in higher level math and science classes?

How well does the school listen to parents and encourage meaningful partnerships?

What do other parents of girls say about the school?

 

 

“At Emma Willard, we challenge girls to take responsibility for developing their minds and their hearts to the fullest and use their considerable talents to serve powerful purposes.”
— Kent Jones, Director of Enrollment and Public Relations