Admissions
At An All-Girls School
Girls Rule! Excelling in an all-girls environment
Mayfield students encounter strong female role models every day, and take on the school’s major leadership roles—from class president to Eucharistic minister—with pride. Studies have shown that students at single-sex high schools outperform their peers in a co-ed environment in all areas: academics, leadership, community participation, and personal development.
Hear what our students have to say!
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No boys? No worries!
It's like going to a friend's house every day, with learning involved.
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— Kate Morin, Head of School
I firmly believe that our world needs more women leaders. Girls’ schools provide the best environment for young women to develop and practice leadership skills. Catholic girls’ schools harness the idealism and enthusiasm about social justice issues that motivate young women to make the world a better place.
What the research shows
A UCLA study published in March 2009 also noted significant differences between single-sex and coeducational alumnae in the areas of self-confidence, political and social activism, life goals, and career aspirations. Among the report's key findings:
- Women who attended single-sex schools tend to outperform their coeducational counterparts
Mean SAT composite scores (verbal plus math) were 43 points higher for female single-sex graduates in the independent school sector and 28 points higher for single-sex alumnae in the Catholic school sector.
- Graduates of single-sex schools enter college with greater confidence in their mathematical and computer abilities
The gap in math confidence is most pronounced in the independent school sector, where 48% of female graduates of single-sex independent schools rate their math ability "above average" or in the "highest 10 percent," compared with 37% of independent coeducational female graduates.
- Confidence in computer skills is higher among female graduates of single-sex independent schools
Thirty-five percent of female graduates of single-sex Catholic schools rate their computer skills as "above average" or in the "highest 10%" compared with 27% of their coeducational counterparts.
— Sofia ’20
I love being at an all girls school, because I constantly feel supported and my confidence has reached an all-time high.
— Caroline ’23
I absolutely love being at an all girls school where everybody is just super accepting of what you have to say and you're able to debate respectfully. I just love being able to like express yourself in any way that you want to.
— Drs. Anthony Byrk and Valerie Lee, University of Michigan
Girls at single-sex schools surpass their coed peers in reading, writing and science. They also demonstrate higher educational aspirations, spend more time on homework, and are more likely to achieve later in their careers.
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.