Chapter 13: Considering Single-Sex Academic Classes for Young Adolescents: Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

“Have you ever heard of that saying, ‘Time flies when you’re having fun?’ All-boy classes are fun!” James, age 11 and in the sixth grade, cheerfully offered his opinion of the single-sex academic classes at his public middle school. However, he quickly and quietly added a cautionary note, “Please write down that I will probably want to be with girls when I am in high school.” With equal enthusiasm, Melissa, age 13 and in the eighth grade, responded from her more adolescent point of view, “You can say what you want and not be afraid of being teased in all-girl classes ... but sometimes we just want to be with the guys.” Despite her satisfaction with the academic benefits of the single-sex arrangement, she clearly reinforced the developmental need of the adolescent for social interaction in the opposite sex.