Seperate but Equal?

A New York Times article features a New York school that is separating its students based on gender.

There are so many things that rub me the wrong way.  First of all, it adheres to a strict gender binary.  Secondly, it is suggesting that women have a detrimental effect on the ability of a male to learn, and vice versa.  Thirdly, the article starts right off by suggesting that girls respond better to a more "motherly" approach, where as boys respond to a competitive, coach-like rhetoric.

Most alarmingly, I see a precedent set for a "seperate but equal" policy.  Imagine: equal funding, but girls are more successful in art and music and boys in math and science, so their studies should be tailored to their strengths.  A problematic picture.