The Los Angeles school board last week approved the creation of an all-girls school focused on science, technology, engineering, and math in an attempt to narrow the gap between boys and girls in those subjects.
If the state grants the district approval to operate a single-gender school, the Girls Academic Leadership Academy would open in 2016 with an initial group of 200 students in grades 6-9. Enrollment would be increased to 700 through all high school grades by the 2019-20 school year.
Los Angeles Unified data show girls perform as well or better in math and science in elementary schools, but their scores decline as they continue through middle and high school. Fewer female students also take Advanced Placement courses in math and science.
