My son needs all the social help he can get (asperger's) so he goes to a mixed school and he ignores most people anyway. My daughter is very forward will have conversations with whoever she pleases (not strangers!) and is much more socially aware than my son. She will be going to a single sex school. I don't think that school is the only place that children spend time with people, my kids don't come home and they stay in the house until the following day with no-one to talk to except immediate family. Both of them went to mixed primary schools which I think is important as this is where they learn the rudiments of social interaction but secondary school is a leaping off point for the rest of their careers so concentration on academic and extra curricular pursuits should be encouraged. It's not forever. You could say that home schooling is damaging in the sense that there is limited social interaction yet this is increasingly popular. And the mixed dances and activities with local boys schools instill in my daughter that as she gets older her relationships with the opposite sex are times to be treasured and valued rather than handed around randomly. It's the same with most things- you need to decide knowing your own child's personality.
I am a fan of single sex schools as I think girls in particular do better without the distraction of boys. Yes I know that some people will say that kids need the balance of both sexes but most kids have siblings, cousins and friends and neighbours of the opposite sex so they dont grow up crippled with shyness when they come into contact with a member of the oppostie sex outside of school. Education is so important and kids need as little distraction as they can get.
Education