Single-Sex Classrooms: Are They Best for Girls?; Women's Health; Scientific American Presents; by Hede; 2 Page(s)

The popular musical group the Spice Girls calls it "Girl Power." It's that intangible feeling of self-worth that some girls have-and others don't. But ask a group of researchers and educators how best to boost a girl's self-esteem, which is thought to be key to academic success, and the arguments begin.

The idea that all-female secondary schools do a better job of instilling a sense of academic competence and accomplishment is spreading across the U.S. Enrollment in the 84 public and private girls' schools that are members of the National Coalition of Girls' Schools (NCGS) has increased 15 percent since 1991. And in the past three years, 18 new all-girl schools-seven of them public-have opened their doors in the U.S.