Rachel Cunningham
A fee-paying girls only school in South Dublin has marked its 50th year by opening its doors to male students for the first time.
Rathdown School, Glenageary, welcomed first year boys into its senior school last Monday (August 28).
Almost one third of the secondary school’s first year class will be represented by a male demographic.
Rathdown School, which opened in 1973, provides education to both boarding and day pupils.
This move has followed a smooth transition to co-education by Rathdown’s Junior School, in the previous academic year.
The decision came following engagement with the local community, especially among younger families, who tended to favour the prospect of a co-ed environment for their children to learn in.
Senior School Principal, Brian Moore, said that the shift to co-education is reflective of the school’s contemporary ethos.
He previously highlighted the importance of boys and girls socialising, stating that the need for a single sex school “isn’t there anymore.”
“It’s a very important year as on the anniversary of our 50th year, we will welcome boys into the senior school for the very first time,” he said.
“This reflects our ethos and vision, whereby we aspire to promote progressive and contemporary values that reflect those of modern Ireland.
“Interest is higher than ever across both genders, with parents telling us that they want a mixture of sexes in classrooms.”
An open day for prospective students and their families will be held in the school on Monday, September 18, between 3.30pm and 7.30pm
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