Data Trends Update: Girls' Schools Stay Strong in Competitive Environment

Technology Spending, Financial Aid Grants Soar

01/28/2008- NCGS News

Concord, MA  -- With interest in single-sex education for girls at an all-time high, membership in The National Coalition of Girls' Schools (NCGS - www.ncgs.org) continues to grow, and a statistical analysis reveals steady enrollment and a strong ongoing commitment to extending educational opportunities to girls and young women.
 

Since NCGS was founded in 1991, membership has more than doubled, from 56 to 127 schools today. In just the past year, student enrollment in NCGS member schools has increased by 11.3%, and now stands at 53,418 girls and young women. Of this total, 43,632 students attend independent schools; 5,961 students attend public schools, and 3,825 students attend international schools.
 

Data Trends Highlights

NCGS has released the findings of its latest Data Trends Report, examining developments within a core sample of member schools to create a scientifically valid comparison of year-over-year changes. (NCGS Member School administrators, click here for the full report.)

The data suggests that girls' schools are holding their own in a highly competitive climate. Enrollments are steady, and core values as a community remain fixed: a commitment to opportunity, achievement and diversity. Among the highlights: 

• Enrollment Holds Steady: Enrollment leveled from fall 2006 to fall 2007, and remains 3.7% above the mark set in 2005. Since NCGS's founding in 1991, enrollment at a core sample of member schools has increased 25%, reflecting the resurgence of single-sex education in America.
   
  
• Financial Aid is Increasing: The average financial aid grant increased by 17.2% to $14,000 in 2007. In all, NCGS member schools awarded nearly $105 Million in financial aid to girls and young women ($104,692,140), an increase of $3 Million over the prior year.
   
  
• Technology Spending is a Priority: NCGS member schools spend almost $50 more per-student than the national average among independent schools. At NCGS member schools, there is one computer for every 2.5 students, compared to the nationwide average of one computer for every 4.4. students at independent schools generally.
   
  
• Student Diversity Strengthens: Diversity in NCGS member schools continues to grow, increasing 3.1% over the past year (from 21.6% to 24.7%) and outpaces the national rate among independent schools by almost 3%.
   
  
• Student/Family Satisfaction Soars: High satisfaction levels are revealed in a 93.3% retention rate at NCGS Member Schools, higher than the national mean among independent schools.
   
  

Statement of the Co-Executive Directors

Meg Milne Moulton and Whitney Ransome, NCGS Co-Executive Directors, issued the following statement to accompany the release of the Data Trends Report:
 

"Today's educational environment is tougher perhaps than ever before. National trends from population demographics to the economy are impacting independent schools at every level and of every type. In this challenging time, girls' schools -- independent and public alike -- continue to be viewed as innovators and pace-setters for the education of girls and young women, where students enjoy not just equal opportunity but every opportunity."

About NCGS

NCGS is the leading expert on single-sex education for girls, representing all-girl schools across the United States plus international members and affiliates in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Our member schools reflect the full diversity of today's educational landscape: private, public, and charter... day and boarding... urban, suburban and rural... big and small. In the U.S. alone, nearly 54,000 girls and young women attend NCGS member schools.
 

For news and information about single-sex schools for girls, visit us online at: www.ncgs.org
 

Contact: Carolyn Colletti, NCGS Director of Communications, (978) 368-9086