New York City girls are excelling academically, but feeling less satisfied in the classroom.

Girls in New York City’s public schools are excelling by almost every academic standard compared to boys.

Their graduation rate over four years is superior by 10 points. Post-graduation, they enroll in college at a rate 11 percentage points higher. They have surpassed boys by a significant margin in 3-8 grade English state tests, while showing similar performance in math.

Despite their academic achievements, girls express much lower satisfaction with their school experiences. An analysis of responses to the 2023 New York City school survey revealed that girls reported significantly reduced satisfaction levels across various aspects of classroom experiences, interactions with peers, and adults compared to boys.

Among girls, 80% acknowledged feeling stressed while learning in the past year, as opposed to about 60% of boys. Additionally, girls were 10 percentage points less likely than boys to indicate that their teachers acknowledged their learning difficulties or provided support when they were upset.

Although there is a growing awareness of the academic struggles faced by boys in schools, the challenges encountered by girls are less conspicuous and often overlooked.

“For girls, there’s an ‘unsaid pressure’ to excel academically,” said Camila Sosa, a 17-year-old student at Uncommon Collegiate Charter High School in Brooklyn.

In contrast, Asian American girls reported higher levels of academic stress and pressure, while being the least likely to believe that a teacher would notice when they encountered challenges in class.

Meanwhile, students who do not identify as male or female reported worse outcomes than their peers across nearly all survey questions, with only 41 respondents identifying themselves as nonbinary.

The data from the New York City school survey underscores broader national trends indicating that girls are disproportionately affected by the ongoing mental health crisis among youth post-COVID pandemic.

“Girls tend to experience higher levels of anxiety and depression, and these levels have been on the rise,” stated Tamar Mendelson, a professor of American health and director of the Center for Adolescent Health at Johns Hopkins University.

A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed that 60% of teenage girls reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021, in contrast to 30% of boys.

Emily Paige, principal of Urban Assembly Unison middle school in Brooklyn, emphasized the need for schools to better support female students and address societal biases and expectations affecting them.

The Education Department has implemented guidelines for gender inclusion in schools, appointed a citywide gender equity coordinator, and established a Gender Equity Team to offer professional development on gender-related access and equity.

More academic success, less support

Girls often learn early on how to be compliant students, a trait that may lead to academic success but does not guarantee their needs are being met, stated Chris Emdin, a professor at Columbia University Teachers College.

Boys, on the other hand, tend to receive a disproportionate amount of attention in the classroom, even if the attention is negative.

Boys were twice as likely as girls to face suspension from school and were also twice as likely to be classified as having a learning disability in the 2022-23 school year.

In comparison, female students who seek more attention and understanding from school staff often have to advocate for themselves.

Girls disproportionately impacted by ongoing mental health crisis

Girls’ negative experiences in school often stem from external pressures and societal expectations placed on them.

According to Krystal Folk, a former school social worker, Black girls face a unique set of challenges due to intersecting racism and sexism in various aspects of their lives.

The rise of social media and the lingering effects of the pandemic have exacerbated the mental health crisis faced by girls.

The school survey results also highlight differences in how boys and girls perceive bullying and harassment, potentially indicating varying interpretations of these experiences.

Some schools seeking solutions

Efforts are underway to address gender disparities in schools by analyzing demographic-specific data and implementing targeted interventions.

Urban Assembly Unison Middle School in Brooklyn modified its approach to student participation in class based on survey data, aiming to create a more inclusive environment for female students.

Single-gender settings and clubs providing gender-specific spaces are recognized as promising strategies to address disparities in schools.

Education Department officials have emphasized the importance of creating affirming environments for LGBTQ+ and gender nonconforming students.

Michael Elsen-Rooney, a reporter for New York covering NYC public schools, can be contacted for further information.

Liza Greenberg, a senior at Bronx High School of Science and student journalist for The Science Survey, contributed to this report.