<p>Edad makes some good points above, but I would like to think that the same educational environment that fosters an 8 year old boy is not the same one that a 20 year old needs. We are talking about different needs at different ages (to some extent). Cheers outlines that above - that different stages of growing up may require different environments.</p>
<p>My sons’ high school works not so much because of recess or whatever - but overriding it all is a BIG sense of ownership by the boys and the male teachers and all the “boyishness” that comes with that.</p>
<p>All kids who excel academically must get the material down - and no one can make the tough stuff “fun.” And YES plenty of boys are bored there at times! But with maturity comes that understanding too. At high school balance is so important. For long hours studying or listening to a lecture, exercise or just yucking it up with the boys -these outlets are critical.</p>
<p>mkm: Interestingly, our all-boys school does have pretty strict “no second guessing the rules” policies. You’d have to or those boys would drive you crazy. I’d say the thing they battle the most is procrastination. So, in general, it’s pretty much “you snooze, you lose.” At least they’ve all had fair notice.</p>