Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia boys' schooling gaps wider than the nation's, study shows
A new report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia boys are falling behind in reading at rates steeper than almost anywhere else in the country. Since the pandemic, boys’ NAEP reading scores dropped at more than twice the rate of girls', and by 4th grade, nearly half of Virginia boys are reading below a "basic" level.
Field School is filling that gap, designed and built to help boys thrive.
Over two-thirds of our boys score in the top one-third in the nation in reading, with even stronger scores in math - proof that with the right environment, boys don't just keep pace; they excel.
More than 50% of our teaching faculty are men, compared to fewer than 1 in 5 teachers nationwide, a gap the report calls out as a key lever for boys' engagement and achievement.
Our boys have 90+ minutes of daily physical activity. This helps sharpen focus, memory, and test performance, while reducing disruptive behavior, poor attendance, and low mood.
We have a 12:1 average student-to-teacher ratio. He deserves personal attention from teachers and mentors who know him well and can teach to his strengths.
We track progress, tailor instruction to how boys actually learn, and build a culture where boys want to show up and succeed.
The data on Virginia boys is a wake-up call. At Field School, it's also a validation: this approach works. Boys can close the gap. They just need schools built around how they learn.
Read the full article: "Virginia boys' schooling gaps wider than the nation's, study shows" (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Dave Ress)
