Balanced Curriculum

The education students receive at GMS is not just academically outstanding; it is designed to send girls into the world with skills that will enable them to be strong in mind and body, resilient in spirit, and respectful of other perspectives. Our curriculum and programs provide a balance of intellectual, creative, and physical pursuits, and allow students to make choices that express their personal interests.

GMS has a longstanding commitment to create a learning environment that places girls first and foremost, with a curriculum that utilizes in-depth explorations of topics to create challenging and meaningful learning experiences.

Equal emphasis is placed on all areas of study: humanities, math, foreign language, computer science, and the arts. We create a balance between academic excellence and extracurricular activities in order to nurture a love of learning in each girl.

Project-Based Learning and Homework

Because cooperation and teamwork are fundamental skills, learning at GMS frequently takes place in small, interactive groups. As a result, more assignments are completed during school hours and fewer are designated as homework. We believe that for many middle school girls, homework takes on a dominant role in family and social life, crowding out other valuable activities. 

Social and Emotional Learning

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum teaches skills needed to recognize and manage emotions, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle challenging situations constructively and ethically. Classes provide accurate information on sexuality, substance abuse, body image, media messages, and other powerful influences on a girl’s social and emotional development. Students attend a SEL class weekly during all three years.

Personal Evaluations

Instead of letter grades, GMS assesses student performance through written evaluations. This approach fosters a love of learning, reduces performance pressure, and promotes greater flexibility in the classroom. Students take part in their evaluations, learning to appraise their own progress and assess their strengths and weaknesses. The evaluations are comprehensive, personal, informative, and effective in determining the educational direction for each girl at GMS and into her high school years.

One-to-One Laptop Program

Each incoming student receives a new Apple MacBook laptop computer to use at school and to take home each day. Students have ready access to their school project files and become comfortable using their computer. The one-to-one laptop program is a loan-lease program that allows the student to own the laptop after her time at GMS.

Entrepreneurial Studies

Seventh-graders learn how to run a business from concept to investor reports. Working with volunteer community business professionals, small teams identify a product, develop a business plan, acquire start–up capital, build inventory, and take orders. Students learn firsthand the importance of problem solving, creativity, teamwork, communication, consensus building, personal responsibility, and compromise.

Athletics

Physical education classes are offered twice each week. These classes teach basic fitness and body awareness through games and  sports. Solo activities, such as yoga and dance, are included for girls who are less interested in team sports. A skateboard ramp provides a safe, supervised place for girls to practice their ollies, grinds, and slides on one of the school’s 13 skateboards. GMS offers a range of competitive after-school athletic programs, including soccer, volleyball, flag football, softball, cross country, and basketball. Teams are open to all girls, regardless of experience or ability.

A Diverse Population

The Girls’ Middle School recognizes that a diverse student body and faculty adds richness and strength to the girls’ educational experience.  GMS enrolls a wondeful mixture of girls, whose talents, interests, learning styles, and perspectives are wide-ranging and distinctive and who represent an array of racial, ethnic, religious, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds. Our incoming sixth-grade class comes from 30 different elementary schools and 14 different towns in the Bay Area.

Just as important as the diversity of the community is the friendly and inclusive atmosphere that permeates the classrooms and hallways. The Girls’ Middle School fosters an environment where respect for the individual, appreciation of differences, and lasting friendships are developed and nurtured.

Financial Aid

We believe all girls – regardless of their family’s financial situation – deserve the chance to benefit from a GMS education. Unlike most traditional private schools, at GMS financial aid extends beyond the cost of tuition, offering girls full support. From transportation to and from school, uniforms to laptops, and academic tutoring after school, students are given all the tools they need to thrive.

After-school Programs

An after-school Homework Club is offered Monday through Thursday at no additional cost. Tutors are on hand to help with homework, study skills, and project management. Additional after-school programs and clubs are also available.

Family Participation

The Girls’ Middle School believes active participation by parents or guardians is essential to create a successful learning community. Each GMS family is asked to spend a minimum of 15 hours annually volunteering at school. Volunteer hours can involve classroom activities, teaching Intersession courses, coaching, chaperoning field trips, or helping with school events.

GMS’s guided giving program helps close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating each student. All families are asked to make an annual tax-deductible contribution to our Parent-Giving Program.

Uniforms

The Girls’ Middle School has a dress code that allows girls to make choices about their clothes within well-defined guidelines. The intent of the dress code is to discourage competitive dressing and to create a sense of community and pride.

Moving on to High School

During their eighth grade year girls meet with high school representatives to learn about private and public high school options and receive guidance from a GMS advisor to help select the best place to continue their education.

GMS alumnae from classes of 2006- 2009 currently attend the following high schools: