Posted on 10/20/2005 2:29:34 PM PDT by Crackingham
South Florida's first all-female public school could open as soon next fall following unanimous approval by the Miami-Dade School Board on Wednesday. The Women's Leadership Academy would initially serve students in grades 6 through 10, growing to enroll up to 500 students in grades 6 through 12 by 2008.
Superintendent Rudy Crew said he plans to recommend a similar school for young men, saying the schools would ``understand and respond to the need of students who . . . have extraordinary needs and extraordinary talents but are oftentimes lost in traditional schools.''
The single-gender schools would be voluntary, likely structured as magnet schools that draw students from across the county.
Some research suggests that students perform better -- both academically and socially -- in single-gender classrooms, although skeptics point out that research is usually based on private or overseas schools.
The district plans to buy or lease an existing building and estimated it would spend $5 million on renovations, furniture and equipment. That money was pulled from a $10 million pot that was designated for expanding Miami Senior High, because Facilities Chief Rose Diamond said that project could be finished with the remainder.
An exact site has not been chosen, and there were conflicting signs of where the school would end up. On one hand, the project was part of a recent pact between the district and the city of Miami, suggesting it would open within the city limits.
But board member Evelyn Greer said many magnet programs are already downtown, and complained that students in Northwest Dade and deep South Dade have little access to public transportation that reaches those schools.
A handful of Florida public schools already offers single-gender classrooms in co-ed schools, including schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
''It seems in education we come full circle,'' said board member Marta Pérez, who said single-gender schools used to be far more common. ``Now it's back in vogue.''
...all-female public school...
Hmmm.... I guess I'd better go brush up on my dictionary skills, clearly I have a different view of what a PUBLIC school is...
Wonder of boys can join their sports teams?
After all, it is only fair.
Great. That means more pedophiles will come out from under their rocks.
Everyone knows that all the hot girls in Miami go to Monsignor Pace or Ransom.
Until that poor sexually confused boy, um, girl, um, person wants to attend and whines to the ACLU.
I think this is a great idea. Students would likely be able to focus more on academics than sexual pressures and all the related nonsense. I think all public high schools should be segregated on the basis of sex.
I'd be happy if they'd just re-instate advanced classes for serious students.
If it becomes a place where girls can concentrate on their studies and be free of social distractions, great.
If it's a training ground for lesbianism and man-hating, not so great.
hehe
I think all public high schools should be segregated on the basis of sex.
Careful how you put that sentence. :)
Rhetorical question: How society would be different if puberty/sexuality didn't kick in until 18-20 years old?
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