BELOIT, Wis. -- Beloit's Robinson Elementary School has expanded its single-gender classroom program this year.

The program is now in third through fifth grade, and the move will make it easier to track its progress down the road.

Those involved with the program said it's working.

Robinson Elementary School's program isn't optional for some grades, but so far students are welcoming the change, WISC-TV reported.

"We teach all the same stuff. It's just we go about it in a little different manner," said fifth-grade teacher Shawn Petitt, whose class is boys-only.

At Robinson, third, fourth, and fifth-grade girls and boys study in their own classrooms.

"You can feel the difference. When you walk into the girls' room, it feels like a girl's room. When you walk into the boys' room, it's like you can kind of feel that adrenaline," said Petitt.

School officials and students agree that it's more than "just a feeling."

"We use different strategies for the boys and girls because of the research that shows that they learn differently," said Robinson Principal Sam Baker.

The school said its single-gender class program provides positive, comfortable learning environment for boys and girls.

The boys' classes are active.

"We do exercises in the morning. That helps stimulate blood flow and gets their brains going. And the other part of it is to burn off a little energy also," said Petitt.

The girls' classes use "community circles" to build relationships and confidence.

"Girls really tend to like to collaborate and work together, so we try to build that in. The way I speak to them is in a way to try and encourage them to be more self-confident," said third-grade girls' teacher Susan Mitok.

Academically, the program appears to be working.

School officials said girls' math scores are up and students themselves are more excited to participate in class.

"When we say stuff, we don't have to worry about boys laughing at us when we say something," said third-grade student Arianna Alfaro.

"When we make a mistake, the girls usually giggle and they laugh. But since there's all boys, they don't laugh as much," said fifth-grade student Krsto Molnia.

With students not focusing on each other, teachers said they can teach the way students want.

"Having the boys' room, they will wear you out a little bit just because we have action constantly, but overall I think it's worth it," said Petitt.

Every student WISC-TV spoke to, when asked if they're doing better in school, answered with a smile, saying yes.

School officials said they will look at performance and decide how to proceed with the program.