Ontario Government Backs the Idea of "Boys Only" Schools

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty likes the idea of boys-only public schools.

"The fact of the matter is, there have been good experiences in other jurisdictions that demonstrate when you bring boys together, you can put in place a curriculum that (meets) their special needs," McGuinty told reporters Wednesday morning.

Earlier in the week, Toronto's public school board released a planning document that called for a new "Male Leadership Academy" for boys from kindergarten to Grade 3 in September. It would add one grade each year.

The idea is designed to combat a growing disparity between boys and girls' achievement and behaviour. Boys are less likely than girls to meet provincial standards in reading, and account for 78 per cent of suspensions.

"The fact of the matter is that our boys are not doing as well as our girls when it comes to reading and behavioural challenges," McGuinty said Wednesday. "And I'm delighted (the Toronto District School Board is) taking on that particular responsibility and finding a way to partner with us as we try to improve test scores."

However, experts are still divided on the merits of single-sex classrooms, saying the idea actually works better for girls than for boys. Results are also better in classes where sexes are separated, rather than single-sex schools.

McGuinty was squarely against another idea by the TDSB last year to open a school focused on black students. He sees no contradiction in the two positions.

"This is an all-boys school, it's not a `some-boys' school," he said Wednesday. "All colours, all faiths, all cultures, all heritages, all traditions - all boys."

It is still unclear whether Toronto will act on the recommendation and establish the boys school.