2260.02 - SINGLE GENDER CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES

The Board of Education does not discriminate based on gender or any other protected class. Equal educational opportunities are available to all students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information. The Board recognizes, however, that some circumstances may prompt program coordinators or administrators to offer a single-gender class or activity. This policy delineates the circumstances permitting administrators to create single-gender educational offerings, and addresses additional requirements for such programs. The District's Title IX Officer(s) is responsible for overseeing compliance with this policy.

This policy addresses traditional non-vocational classes, as well as extracurricular activities and programs, including field trips, lunch, and recess. The policy applies regardless of whether the District administers a program directly or through another entity. This policy, however, does not apply to single-gender schools or athletic programs.

General Requirements and Overview

The District will generally not provide or otherwise carry out any of its education programs or activities separately on the basis of sex, or require or refuse participation in such programs or activities by any student on the basis of sex. These general prohibitions do not apply to the following:

1. Contact sports in physical education classes: Separation of students by sex is permitted within physical education classes or activities during participation in wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact.
2. Ability grouping in physical education classes: Students may be grouped by ability in physical education classes and activities so long as the students’ ability is assessed by objective standards of individual performance that are developed and applied without regard to sex.
3. Human sexuality classes: Students may be segregated by sex (i.e., boys and girls) for classes or portions of classes that deal primarily with human sexuality.
4. Choruses: The District may make requirements based on vocal range or quality that may result in a chorus or choruses of one (1), or predominantly one (1), sex.

The District may also offer single-gender classes or programs when needed to achieve an important objective, and the single-gender nature of the class or program is substantially related to that objective. Only two (2) objectives are allowed:

1. improving achievement through providing diverse educational opportunities; or
2. meeting a particular, identified educational need.

Further, these objectives shall be met in an evenhanded manner, and staff shall provide a substantially equal coeducational class for each subject. Additionally, student enrollment in the single-gender program shall be completely voluntary. The Superintendent shall conduct an annual evaluation to verify that the program complies with these requirements and established administrative guidelines.

Students with Special Requirements

Students with disabilities or English Learner students shall not be excluded from single-gender classes because of their unique needs or limited English proficiency.  Except as prohibited by law, Transgender students shall be permitted to participate in single-gender classes in a manner consistent with their gender identity.

© Neola 2025