Why Choose a Girls’ School?

Dame Roma Mitchell – Australia’s first female Governor. Mary Tenison Woods – South Australia’s first female lawyer. Tegan Brink – Australia’s High Commissioner to South Africa.  What might these three women, born decades apart, have in common?  They each were educated at St Aloysius College.  

Spanning a history of 145 years, SAC has earned a reputation for educating girls who become pioneering leaders. Girls who attend St Aloysius College are encouraged to pursue their passions. This support begins as early as Reception and continues through to the end of Year 12.   

An abundance of opportunities are available to students, enhancing their confidence through STEM, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, physical education, the arts, and Justice and Mercy (JAM) initiatives.  

Peer support programs connect students in Reception and Year 6, Years 3 and 8, Years 5 and 9 and Years 7 and 10, each with a specific focus. These opportunities enable older girls to be caring mentors who younger students admire. 

“The personal development we’ve experienced since starting at SAC has been life-changing. Having a main focus on girls means that we have access to all the leadership opportunities available to students in school, and we are encouraged to step out of our comfort zones through extra-curricular and academic programs.” 

“We are constantly empowered and reminded by the Mercy values that we as young women can make a difference. Personally, I feel that going to school in an all-girls’ environment has helped me focus more on my ambitions and given me confidence.”

Year 12 students Clodeta and Harnaaz

Research from the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools states that 93% of girls’ school graduates say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than coeducated peers and 80% have held leadership positions since graduating from high school. Preparation for leadership starts in school, as showcased by this research. 

Excellent Mentoring

The overwhelming majority of girls’ school students agree to strongly agree that they feel supported at their schools:

• 95% feel supported by their teachers (compared to 84% of girls at coeducational public schools)
• 90% report feeling supported by other students (compared to 73%)

Inspirational Environment

Single-sex programs create an institutional and classroom climate in which female students can express themselves freely and frequently and develop higher order thinking skills.

Stronger Community Involvement

When compared to coeducated peers, graduates of girls’ school are more likely to:

• become involved in environmental programs
• participate in community social action programs
• be frequently active in volunteer work
  

Fostering Her Voice

Nearly 87% of girls’ school students feel their opinions are respected at their school compared to only 58% of girls at coeducational schools.

Greater Cultural Competency

When compared to coeducated peers, graduates of girls’ schools are more likely to:

• help promote racial understanding
• value improving their understanding of other countries and cultures
• have strong empathy for others and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs

Academic Achievement

More than 80% of girls’ school graduates consider their academic performance highly successful.

Graduates of girls’ schools are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology compared to girls who attended co-education schools.