The Girls' School Experience (continued)

Table 7  Intended majors

Report Methodology

This is the second study Goodman Research Group, Inc. (GRG) has conducted for The National Coalition of Girls' Schools. In 1999, GRG surveyed NCGS alumnae from four academic cohorts who graduated from high school between 1983 and 1995. Results of that study are available online at www.ncgs.org.

Six years after the original study, NCGS contracted with GRG to survey alumnae who graduated from an NCGS member school in 2004, with a focus on the role that the girls' schools played in women's transitions to college. The primary goals of the survey were to examine:

• Alumnae's perceived outcomes associated with girls' school attendance Alumnae's perceptions of the effectiveness of their schools in preparing them for the academic and social transition to college

Survey respondents completed an online survey consisting of 32 possible questions covering three areas of interest: (1) the girls' school experience, (2) alumnae's academic interests and career aspirations, and (3) the influence of NCGS member school attendance on academic and social transitions to college. Respondents indicated their satisfaction by assigning ratings to each area and using a 1-5 scale, with 1 equal to not at all satisfied, 2 equal to a little satisfied, 3 equal to moderately satisfied, 4 equal to very satisfied, and 5 equal to extremely satisfied.

All NCGS member private schools in the United States having a program serving grades nine through twelve were invited to participate in the study. Eighty-three schools were eligible to participate, and 61 schools ultimately participated. The school participation rate was 73%.

Contact information (either alumnae email address or parent's permanent mailing address) was available for 2,606 alumnae. Of the 2,606 possible respondents, GRG received completed surveys from 1,018 alumnae. The alumnae response rate was 39%.

About NCGS

The National Coalition of Girls' Schools is a leading proponent of single-sex education for girls. Since its founding in 1991, NCGS has grown to include 105 girls' independent and public, day and boarding schools across the United States, with affiliate partners in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Currently, some 45,000 students attend NCGS schools in the U.S. alone.

Our members share a commitment to the values and benefits of girls' schools and a belief that all girls, regardless of educational setting, deserve the opportunity to realize their potential, to be active and equal, confident and competent leaders, participants and contributors. The Coalition's major areas of focus include academic achievement, financial literacy; math, science and technology; sports, wellness and physical fitness; leadership; global citizenship and community involvement.

Online: www.ncgs.org