Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education, is the practice of conducting education

Education

Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...

 where male and female students attend separate classes or in separate buildings or schools

School

A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...

. The practice was predominant before the mid-twentieth century, particularly in secondary education

Secondary education

Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...

 and higher education

Higher education

Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...

. Single-sex education in many cultures is advocated on the basis of tradition as well as religion, and is practiced in many parts of the world.
In the 17th century, schooling was first introduced to females, however it was very limited and usually was restricted to religious instruction and needling.