Single sex vs co-ed schools in NZ – Which is right for your child?
From the moment a child is born, parents will spend just about every waking moment thinking about how to improve their child’s life. Whether that’s through enforcing a strict tooth brushing regime to raising them on a diet of Monty Python skits to imbue a solid sense of humour, there are countless decisions to be made.
Deciding between a same sex and co-ed school is just one of them – although it could be quite a big one (up there with ensuring they prefer Marmite over Vegemite, at least).
According to a 2024 news article, 14% of secondary students in New Zealand are enrolled in single-gender schools, the majority of which are state schools. This shows that while co-educational schooling is the predominant model nationwide, single-gender education still plays a notable role within the state system.
In our OneChoice Kiwi Education Report, two in five parents said the co-ed vs single sex decision was a decisive factor for them. But when it came down to it, the three biggest factors for school choice were the academic reputation of the school, the artistic or creative reputation of the school, and where siblings are going or went to school.
But what’s the right choice for your kids: same-sex schools or co-ed schools?
Single gender or co-ed: what’s the difference?
Same sex vs co-ed schools – since the school environment sets the tone for your child’s formative years, it’s vital to choose a setting that supports and nurtures your family’s morals and beliefs.
That means starting out by considering what you deem most important. Is it academic achievement? Sporting success? Acclaim in the creative fields? A strong, tight-knit social group that will be supportive and kind through the years?
Our Kiwi Education Report showed that 63% of parents believed that co-ed schools provide better opportunities for socialisation development, and 57% of them believe that co-ed schools better prepare students for the real world.
So, while co-ed vs single sex will play a role in the environment of a school, there are always going to be more factors to consider as well.
Co-ed vs single-sex: the ongoing debate
There are 2,413 co-ed schools in New Zealand as of 2024 – but just 116 single sex schools in total across the country.
That means that there are vastly more kids going to co-ed schools than single sex, and a lot more options for those happy to attend co-ed schooling.
Yet despite this huge disparity in sheer numbers, the debate between which option is ‘best’ rages on more than a hungry teenager. Let’s take a look at the key points.
Comparing single sex and co-ed schools
Consider the addition of an overview comparison table for side-by-side comparison at a glance:
| Topic | Single-ex Schools | Co-ed chools |
| Academic focus | Often have tailored teaching methods for boys or girls, which some studies suggest can improve focus and academic performance in certain subjects. | Mixed-gender classrooms can promote a broader perspective and collaborative skills; academic results are similar overall to single-sex schools in NZ. |
| Social development | Students may have fewer opportunities to interact with the opposite sex during school, which can limit social exposure outside structured activities. | Daily interaction with both genders can help develop communication, teamwork, and social skills applicable in real-world situations. |
| Extracurricular opportunities | May offer gender-specific sports or clubs, allowing students to excel in targeted areas without competition from the opposite sex. | Typically offer a wider variety of mixed-gender sports and clubs, fostering inclusivity and collaboration across genders. |
| Learning environment | Can reduce gender-based stereotypes in subject choice (ore girls in physics, more boys in languages) and minimise distractions from mixed-gender dynamics. | Prepares students for diverse workplaces and social environments; some argue it may also better reflect real-world settings. |
How school environment impacts learning
There’s a growing body of people who believe that the same genders tend to perform better when attending single-sex schools.
Same sex vs co-ed school statistics show that nearly half of boys attending single-sex high schools leave with University Entrance, compared to just 30 per cent of boys at co-ed schools.
Social and emotional development
The benefit of co-ed schools is possibly the most obvious – more diversity. At a time when young men and women are maturing, it may be beneficial to spend time with the opposite gender, make friends, learn to better communicate, and ‘demystify’ them to some extent.
There are no single-sex universities or workplaces, so a co-ed school can ensure kids are prepared for the realities of the life that follows. And with one in three parents concerned that current school curriculums are not providing kids with the right skills to thrive in a professional working environment (according to our OneChoice Kiwi Education Report), early exposure to co-ed diversity could be a bonus for some students.
One New Zealand professor, Karen Nairn of the University of Otago, shared her thoughts on how co-ed schools better prepared young students for the future, after seeing first-hand the differences between the two:
"...there were much more well-rounded set of interactions," Nairn said. "Girls and boys could be friends without it being understood as some romantic relationship."
"They're heading into a work world that is co-ed, into a university world that's co-ed and I would much rather them experience high school in a co-ed environment," she added.
Single sex vs co-ed schools FAQ
Deciding between single-sex and co-ed schools can be tricky. Both have benefits depending on your child’s learning style and social needs. This section answers common questions New Zealand parents ask to help you make an informed choice.
Do boys perform better at single-sex schools?
One study showed that boys can perform better at single-sex schools in New Zealand. Boys may benefit from teaching methods tailored to their learning styles, particularly in subjects like languages or literacy.
Do girls perform better at single-sex schools?
The same study shows that girls at low-decile girls-only schools performed significantly better than their counterparts in co-ed schools, and the effect size was large. They also surpassed boys in both boys-only and co-ed schools with medium effect size. However, it’s best to consider this as a case-by-case basis.
Do co-ed schools prepare kids better for real life?
According to our OneChoice Kiwi Education Report, most parents feel co-ed schools provide greater opportunities for socialisation (63%) and better prepare students for the real world (57%) than single sex schools. This can develop communication skills, teamwork, and adaptability, which are important in workplaces and social environments. However, success in life depends on more than the school type.
Is bullying worse in co-ed or single-sex schools?
Bullying can occur in any school type. The overall prevalence of bullying in New Zealand schools depends more on school culture and anti-bullying policies than on whether the school is single-sex or co-ed.
Are single-sex schools outdated?
Single-sex schools are not necessarily outdated. They still offer benefits like targeted teaching approaches and tailored extracurricular programs. However, societal views on gender inclusivity are evolving, and some argue co-ed schools better reflect modern life.
Should girls and boys be taught separately?
This depends on the students’ needs and shouldn’t be a one size fits all approach. Girls and boys should only be taught separately if it meets the students’ learning needs. Some children benefit from single-sex classrooms for certain subjects, but research shows most students can thrive in either environment when teaching is high-quality and supportive.
Final thoughts for Kiwi parents
Making the decision is a tough one, and often comes down to more than just the pros and cons of single-sex and co-ed schools, let alone choosing a career path from high school.
For starters, you can also choose between homeschooling and traditional schooling, and private vs public schools.
Not to mention, what does the student want? They might not be able to be trusted with deciding on what to have for dinner every night of the week (unless you’re ok with seven different types of takeaways), but their opinion should be part of the decision.
You should also consider the school’s reputation, regardless of whether it is single-sex or co-ed. In short, is it known for producing young men and women who work hard, achieve strong grades, and are involved in cultural experiences such as sport and music?
With all of that in mind, it’s all about what’s best for your child and their future (a bit like life insurance, really). Make the most of school open days for a visit to get a feel for the place, and go with what’s best for your family. And when it comes to protecting your family’s future in other ways, consider OneChoice Life Insurance for added peace of mind.
29 Oct 2025