Why Girls Schools Are More Relevant Now Than Ever

When Sacred Heart schools were founded more than two centuries ago, the idea of educating girls was radical. The vision was clear: girls deserved the same rigorous intellectual formation and opportunities as boys. Today, with widespread access to education, some might ask, are girls schools still necessary?

The answer is yes. In fact, they may be more necessary now than ever.

Recent reporting in the Seattle Times shows that while girls in Washington had been steadily closing the gender gap in STEM, the pandemic erased much of that progress. Math scores for girls dropped more sharply than boys’, and fewer girls are enrolling in Algebra by eighth grade, a critical gateway to higher-level math and STEM careers. National data echo this reversal, revealing that the fragile gains toward gender equity in STEM have been undone.

But STEM is not the only area of concern. Research shows that girls experience a steep drop in confidence during adolescence, even when their performance equals or surpasses boys. The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Gender Gap Report reminds us that women hold just 32 percent of leadership roles worldwide. And closer to home, the CDC has documented alarming increases in anxiety among girls, with belonging and strong relationships as the most effective protective factors.

Girls schools are uniquely positioned to respond. Free from the subtle biases and gender stereotypes that often shape coed classrooms, students in all-girls environments are more likely to take intellectual risks, speak up in class, and see themselves as leaders. Research from the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools shows that graduates of girls schools are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology, three times more likely to consider engineering, and significantly more likely to rate themselves as confident in their academic abilities compared to their peers from coed schools. The same studies reveal that 80 percent of girls’ school graduates hold leadership positions after high school, versus 54 percent of women from coed schools. Just as importantly, students in girls schools report a stronger sense of belonging and support, which are protective factors identified by the CDC as critical to adolescent well-being. In short, girls schools create communities where every voice matters and every student is known, valued, and empowered to thrive.

At Forest Ridge, we see this not as a setback, but as a call to action. Our program is intentionally designed to support girls’ growth, confidence, and leadership. Our middle school math curriculum is leveled one year higher than grade level, positioning all 8th graders to take Algebra I, with many advancing further into Geometry or even Algebra II. In the Upper School, students can take advanced level biology, chemistry, and physics, and our math sequence extends through Calculus III, ensuring that every student who aspires to the highest levels of STEM preparation has a pathway. Over the past two years, over one third of our graduating seniors plan to pursue STEM-related fields in college.

"I've appreciated being surrounded by so many role models (both staff and peers) who aren't afraid to ask questions, show their knowledge, or speak up. It's pushed me to be a better friend, learner, and leader. Without an all-girls education, I don't think I would have taken most of the leadership roles I have today or felt as confident taking on academic challenges.” Abby B. ‘25

As a small school with a big program, Forest Ridge offers both breadth and depth: endless opportunities paired with individualized support. Our innovative mod schedule, no-cut athletics and drama, and abundant leadership opportunities across every grade ensure that each student has space to discover her passions and grow her strengths. At Forest Ridge, belonging is not in conflict with academic challenge; it is what makes academic excellence possible.

Because the challenges facing girls today are urgent in Washington and across the country, we cannot afford to lose ground in preparing girls for STEM fields, leadership positions, or the inner strength needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. If the gender gap in education grows, so will the leadership gap in society.

Girls schools are not relics of the past; they are essential for the future. At Forest Ridge, we are committed to ensuring that our students grow into confident, compassionate leaders prepared to meet the challenges of their time. That work is not just timely. It is necessary.

By the Numbers: The Impact of Girls Schools

• 6x more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology fields (ICGS)
• 3x more likely to consider engineering (ICGS)
• 80% of graduates hold leadership positions after high school, compared to 54% of women from coed schools (ICGS)
• Report higher levels of self-confidence across every academic area (ICGS)
• Report stronger feelings of belonging and support, which the CDC identifies as protective against anxiety and depression