In the Chicagoland area, there are so many school choices - Private, public, charter, selective-enrollment, single-gendered, Co-Ed... the list goes on and on!
We at Guerin would like you to consider the benefits of a Co-Ed education.
As you may know, Guerin College Prep High School's story began in 1960 with two separate single-gendered schools sharing the same 23-acre piece of land in River Grove. In the front of the property along Belmont Avenue sat Mother Theodore Guerin High School for Girls. Directly behind the Mother Guerin building, with only a parking lot between the schools, sat Holy Cross High School for Boys. In 2004 our founding schools merged to form Guerin Prep -- a Co-Ed, Catholic, College-Preparatory school still under the guidance of the Sisters of Providence.
We feel that our history gives us unique perspective on this topic of single-gender versus co-educational school environment. As we look back at our roots, one thing we know for sure is that there are some clear advantages to a co-ed school.
Being Co-Ed fosters cooperation and mutual respect among young men and women that will carry into their future!
Offers School Diversity
One of the good things about enrolling students, especially kids in mixed-gender schools is the diversity that this decision offers students. If young boys and girls are given exposed to diversity in an early age, they will find it easier to adapt in different environments when they grow up. The diversity this set-up offers is significant in teaching other forms of diversity such as cultural and social.
Teaches Equality
With both male and female students attending classes together and participating in class activities, these students will be able to learn about equality between men and women. As opposed to single-sex schools, coed schools treat students equally with no preference to sex, thus, when assignments are given, there are no special treatments and students are graded and evaluated on their performance and not on gender.
Promotes Socialization
Some people who were not educated in coed schools often find it hard to socialize with the opposite sex since they are not used to interacting and talking to members of the opposite sex. Conversely, students enrolled in mixed classrooms experience being with members of the opposite sex and become familiar with existing with them. The familiarity will teach them about co-existence and at the same time prepare them when they get out of school where they will have to deal with different kinds of people.
Prepares Students for the Real World
Another advantage of co-educational schools is that students are exposed to a normal environment in the sense that society is composed of both men and women. If they are taught and motivated to interact with both sexes, they can use this skill when they graduate in college and be in the real world where men and women co-exist, especially at work.
Improves Communication Skills
If a student is studying in a school or university with members of the opposite sex, he or she will be exposed to men and women as well as communicate with them. Since both genders have different ways of expressing themselves, studying in coed schools can help an individual with communication skills.
Challenges Sexism
A school with mixed students offer an environment that gives men and women the chance to express themselves and share their views which will teach boys and girls about equality when it comes to sexes. This is because in this educational environment, students are allowed to discuss and debate. As a result, they will be able to explore each other’s perspectives and their differences when it comes to views. This will make it easier for them to agree to disagree.
