Why more boys are falling behind in school

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Boys are falling behind in school, and not just by a little. Around the world, dropout rates among boys are rising, especially in high school and college. But this isn’t a gender rivalry—it’s about figuring out why more boys are slipping through the cracks while girls continue to thrive. Girls’ academic success simply confirms what we’ve long suspected: when given equal opportunity, they shine. Now it’s time to face the bigger question: what’s holding boys back, and why does it matter?

Click through the gallery to explore what’s driving this trend and what we can do about it.

Graduation gap

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

In 2018, more US girls crossed the graduation stage than boys—88% vs. 82%. And worldwide, college classrooms are seeing fewer men: just 88 enrolled for every 100 women. The education gap is real and growing.

Early exit

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

In many developing countries, girls are finally catching up, but boys still tend to finish high school more often. That said, more and more boys are checking out of school early, especially after the basics are done.

Opportunity shift

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Here’s the twist: if girls are excelling even with fewer opportunities, what happens when things even out? Odds are, they’ll pull even further ahead, and boys may fall even further behind.

Numbers don’t lie

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Let’s be clear, this isn’t about patriarchy or who's “better.” The numbers speak: girls now make up two-thirds of top students, while boys fill most of the bottom ranks.

Different strengths

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Boys might lead in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and certain tests, but girls consistently shine in reading, writing, and overall school habits, showing strong all-around academic skills that go beyond numbers.

Boys and behavior

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Boys are 2.5 times more likely to face suspension or expulsion. Studies show they start school with fewer skills teachers value, like attention, emotional control, and social cooperation, which affects their classroom success.

Double standard

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Schools tend to punish boys more harshly for misbehavior. Even when girls act out just as much, they’re more likely to stick with school and finish their education.

A bigger problem

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

This isn’t just a boys’ issue; it’s a challenge for all of us. When many young men struggle in school, it impacts families, jobs, and communities, sending ripples far beyond the classroom.

Why boys struggle

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Why is this happening? One big reason is developmental readiness; many boys aren’t quite prepared for school’s early demands, which can cause frustration, misunderstandings, and low motivation right from the start.

Beyond test scores

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Teachers often reward “noncognitive skills” like attentiveness and eagerness, which girls show more at younger ages. So, even with equal test scores, boys can receive lower grades due to behavioral differences.

Boys’ tough choices

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

In Africa, steep high school fees and money struggles push many boys to choose work over school, making financial pressure a major hurdle in their education journey.

Learning that sticks

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Boys tune out when school feels disconnected from real life. Adding hands-on learning, apprenticeships, and skills-based courses can boost engagement and show how education pays off.

Engage and inspire

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Classrooms can boost boys’ engagement by mixing it up: using project-based learning, gamification, and active activities to match different learning styles and keep students interested.

Redefining cool

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

To help boys thrive, schools need to curb bullying and peer pressure. When doing well in school is seen as strength, not weakness, boys are more likely to stay motivated and engaged.

Worth the effort

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

The road ahead won’t be simple; it’ll take tough talks, long-term effort, and serious investment. But it’s worth it, because when boys fall behind, we all feel the impact.

Better men start here

Graduation gap, Early exit, Opportunity shift, Numbers don’t lie, Different strengths, Boys and behavior, Double standard, A bigger problem, Why boys struggle, Beyond test scores, Boys’ tough choices, Learning that sticks, Engage and inspire, Redefining cool, Worth the effort, Better men start here

Educated boys grow into men who are more likely to support gender equality and reject violence. Helping boys stay in school could be a powerful step toward a fairer, safer future for everyone.

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