Woodbridge Middle School caters to the needs of our individual learners by offering an opt-in Same Gender Program. Students in this program are enrolled on same gender teams, which have gender specific classes for their core academics. The same gender teachers differentiate the delivery of their instruction and utilize a variety of gender-specific learning strategies based on researched brain differences between the genders.  The WMS staff is passionate about Same Gender education. Boys and girls are equally capable of learning in all subject areas, but for some students, the best environment is one in which gender differences can be addressed.  Every student learns differently, and the Same Gender model allows us to maximize current educational best practices and differentiate instruction.

The school has received local, state, National, and International attention regarding the implementation of this outstanding instructional option.  We have received front-page coverage in the Old Bridge Observer, Potomac News, and Washington Post.  In addition, our program was written about in the Bethesda Magazine and USA Today.  New Channel 4 did a feature on our program and we were recently featured on CNN (see below).  Upcoming broadcast is scheduled for Alhurra, and Arabic-language American satellite TV channel based in Springfield, Virginia, financed by the United States government and “beamed across the Arab world” and “aimed at viewers in the Middle East”.  In addition, our program is soon to be recorded for a feature being done by Nickelodeon at Noon.              

Teachers of the Same Gender classes have undergone extensive training and continue to further their research and understanding by participating in Same Gender focus groups.  Some strategies in the male classes include purposeful movement, individual and group competitions, and using surnames to address the student.  Some strategies used in an all female class include color coding notes to establish patterns in learning and note taking and making a personal connection with instructional material by providing time for group discussions and celebrations.  Teachers design their lessons based on topics that are engaging for each gender/student which allows students to address issues and solve problems that are relevant to their lives and of interest to them. This practice makes them even more excited about education.  In order to provide our staff with the essential support to successfully implement the Same Gender Program, the staff has had numerous professional development opportunities, including but not limited to, attending the International Conference for the National Association for Same Sex Public Education in Memphis, Tennessee this past October.  In addition, WMS teachers have been invited to present in next year’s same gender conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  Mr. Calhoun, WMS Principal, has also been invited to speak about the WMS Same Gender Program implementation to the International Association for Same Gender Public Education in Madrid, Spain.

         Change has come to Woodbridge Middle School over the past two years and we would like to continue this positive trajectory with the approval of a two-year extension to our Same Gender Classroom Structure Program through the 2010-11 school year. With this two year extension we would also like to be able to offer students outside of Woodbridge Middle School’s boundaries the option of attending Same Gender Classes at Woodbridge Middle on a Student Transfer with the clear understanding that student transportation would not be provided.  With this two-year extension, we would have a full three years of student data; it is our intention to analysis and present the data in the fall of the 2010-11 school year.  At that time we as a school community would make a decision as to if, it is in our best interest to continue with a program that at this time we find extremely beneficial to our community as a whole

      In its pilot year, the 2007-2008 school year, the Same Gender program's effectiveness was overwhelmingly supported by end-of-the-year data.  See the Data Overview for the 2007-2008 school year.  In addition, we have received a great amount of parent support and endorsement of this program.  See a sampling of the parent comments we have received.

Learn more by clicking on the following links:

Mr. Calhoun's Information Session Presentation-  Short Version

Mr. Calhoun's Same Gender Presentation

WMS Same Gender Brochure

National Association for Single Sex Public Education (NASSPE)

Separation Spurs Scholastic Success

Educators Report Benefits from Gender-Segregated Teaching

USA Today Endorsement of Same Gender Education