How to Get Into Girls’ Middle School: Things to Consider

Why Families Choose Girls’ Middle School: An Empowering All-Girls Education

The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) is an independent, all-girls school serving grades 6–8 in Palo Alto, California. Founded in 1998, GMS was created to fill a critical need in education: a learning environment specifically designed to empower girls during their middle school years—a time often marked by dramatic shifts in confidence and self-perception.

At GMS, the focus is on helping girls build intellectual courage, emotional strength, and leadership skills. The school is known for its hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum that fosters collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity. With small class sizes and a supportive environment, students are encouraged to take risks and grow into confident learners.

GMS was founded by a group of educators and parents who recognized that middle school can be a turning point in a girl’s academic and personal life. From the beginning, the school was designed to be different—not just a place for academic learning, but a community where girls could find their voices, develop resilience, and lead boldly.

One of the school’s most innovative programs is the 8th-grade entrepreneurship project, where students create and run their own businesses—an initiative that combines business, ethics, and social responsibility. GMS was one of the first middle schools in the country to adopt this kind of real-world, project-based learning at the middle school level.

Today, GMS continues to evolve while staying true to its mission of nurturing the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and changemakers. It remains committed to equity, inclusion, and innovation in girls’ education.

How hard is it to get into Girls’ Middle School?

Gaining admission to The Girls’ Middle School is a selective process, reflecting its strong reputation for innovative, girl-centered education. With an average class size of 16 and a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 6:1, GMS offers a supportive and collaborative environment where each student is known and encouraged to thrive.

GMS accepts applications for all three grades—6th, 7th, and 8th—but most openings occur in 6th grade. The priority application deadline is in the second week of  January, and admissions decisions are typically released in early March, aligned with the Bay Area Independent High School Consortium timeline. While rolling admissions may be considered if space remains, families are encouraged to apply by the deadline for full consideration.

Standardized testing is not required. Instead, applicants are required to complete an Online Essay writing activity proctored by Test Innovators. The admissions process at GMS is holistic, placing strong emphasis on teacher recommendations, student visits, academic records, and parent/guardian conversations to determine whether a student is a good fit for the school’s dynamic and inquiry-driven learning environment.

Given the competitiveness of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand the ins and outs of the Girls’ Middle School admissions process. Consultants can provide valuable guidance in presenting a compelling application and ensuring prospective students stand out in a highly selective pool of candidates.

Girls’ Middle School Admissions Process

Creating an account on Ravenna is the first step in the Girls’ Middle School application process. You may apply, register for admission events, receive notifications, and monitor your application progress all through your Ravenna account. The admission steps you should take are as follows:

1. Create an Account on Ravenna Hub
2. Attend Admissions Events (Optional but Recommended)
3. Submit Required Documents and Complete the Application
4. Schedule and Complete an Interview
5. Enrollment Confirmation

For more details and to begin your application, visit the Girls’ Middle School Admissions page.

Girls’ Middle School Admission Requirements

GMS Parent Statement

Parents or guardians of middle and upper school applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on Ravenna. You will be asked to talk about your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal information. Be authentic in sharing your family’s goals and willingness to promote the values and mission of the school.

Tips for Writing a Strong Parent Statement for GMS

The parent statement is an integral part of the application process as it will help admissions officers better understand your child’s background and potential to become successful at Girls’ Middle School. It will also demonstrate your family’s commitment to your child’s education. When choosing what to write about, remember that you have to be honest and authentic. Focus on your child’s strengths and unique characteristics, and provide anecdotes to support your statements. For some tips on how to write a powerful parent statement from experienced educational consultants, click here. 

GMS Teacher Recommendations/Recommendation Letters

Applicants must submit recommendation letters from current math and English teachers and the principal or counselor. The forms can be found on Ravenna and will be sent to the admissions committee online.

Securing Powerful Teacher Recommendations for GMS

Teacher recommendations are crucial for admission since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because they deal with your child on a daily basis and can confirm your child’s academic success, they can make professional and unbiased observations. Building strong relationships with teachers is crucial if you want them to be able to provide strong recommendations that support other application materials when the time comes for them to do so.

GMS Transcript

Applicants must submit transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current one. Once submitted, the school will handle the process directly.

Improving Grades for GMS Admission 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Girls’ Middle School’s rigorous curriculum. But what if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? Start private school admissions consulting early! Our tutors and academic coaches will work with your child to improve grades and achieve scores that meet the requirements. We provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing. However, because we are aware that boosting GPA won’t guarantee success, we provide academic coaching that teaches executive function skills as a more holistic strategy. 

GMS Personal Statement

There are questions that an applicant has to answer within a limited character count. The questions delve into your child’s personality, skills, and interests, as well as their expectations of Girls’ Middle School. The questions might seem simple and easy to answer, but admissions officers are looking at certain characteristics and values in your child that will determine if they are a good fit at Girls’ Middle School. 

Expert Advice for Your GMS Personal Statement

Our private school admissions consultants can guide your child and give advice on how to best answer the questions truthfully. Our years of experience working with families applying to Girls’ Middle School have allowed us to understand what they are looking for in applicants. From your child’s personal circumstances, we can identify what traits and characteristics will interest the admissions team and be considered for admission. Here are some useful tips on how to write a compelling personal statement.

GMS Admissions Interviews

After submitting the preliminary parts of the application through Ravenna, families will be invited to schedule a student and parent/guardian interview. This meeting is a chance for the admissions team to get to know the applicant beyond the written materials, and it also allows families to ask questions and get a better sense of the GMS community.

The interview includes:

• A student conversation with a faculty or staff member
• A parent/guardian meeting to discuss educational goals and fit
• A tour or virtual introduction to GMS (if applicable)

Ace Your GMS Interview: Preparation Strategies

Your child will be assessed and evaluated based on how they conduct themselves on those occasions. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and helping numerous families get into The Girls’ Middle School, we know what they are looking for. With informed interview preparation, our admissions consultants will introduce your child to common interview questions and teach them how to answer them truthfully while adhering to their values. 

Visiting GMS: Tours, Open Houses & Virtual Options

The Girls’ Middle School offers a range of opportunities for prospective families to learn more about its programs and community through campus tours, open houses, and virtual information sessions.

GMS Campus Tours: Explore Our Palo Alto Campus: GMS hosts small group tours during the fall for prospective parents. These usually include a walkthrough of the school, classroom visits, and the chance to observe student life in action. Tours are scheduled via Ravenna.

GMS Open Houses: Meet Faculty & Students: GMS typically holds one or more Open House events during the fall admissions season. These events allow families to meet faculty, current students, and school leaders, and to get an in-depth look at the school’s academic and extracurricular programs.

GMS Virtual Information Sessions: Learn Online: For families unable to attend in person, GMS offers virtual sessions that include a presentation from school leadership and time for Q&A.

You can find upcoming dates and register for any of these events on their official page. 

What is Student Life Like at Girls’ Middle School?

Student life at The Girls’ Middle School is centered around curiosity, creativity, and community. From the moment students walk through the doors, they’re encouraged to explore boldly—whether that means diving into hands-on science experiments, crafting short films in digital media, or collaborating on an eighth-grade entrepreneurship project where they launch real businesses. Electives and clubs let students pursue their interests in art, music, technology, leadership, and more, while a robust advisory program ensures every girl has a built-in support system.

Beyond the classroom, GMS emphasizes connection and growth through outdoor education trips, cross-grade bonding activities, and a strong culture of inclusion. Students build confidence not only as learners, but also as friends, collaborators, and advocates. With a focus on social-emotional learning and identity development, student life at GMS is as much about becoming a thoughtful, engaged human as it is about academic achievement.

Girls’ Middle School Curriculum Overview

The curriculum at The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) is designed to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and develop a deep love of learning. It blends strong academic foundations with hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that help students see connections across subjects. Core classes include humanities, math, science, and Spanish, all taught through inquiry-based learning that encourages exploration, discussion, and problem-solving. The integrated approach helps students become independent thinkers and effective communicators.

In addition to core academics, GMS offers rich programming in engineering, computer science, visual and performing arts, and physical education. Students engage in real-world experiences like coding, product design, robotics, and public speaking. The curriculum culminates in an innovative 8th-grade entrepreneurship project, where students design, build, and run their own businesses. Throughout it all, the curriculum emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and self-advocacy—preparing girls not only for high school, but also for life beyond the classroom.

What Sports does Girls’ Middle School offer?

The Girls’ Middle School offers a competitive and well-rounded athletics program that promotes teamwork, leadership, and physical wellness. The athletics program is a key part of student life and encourages students to develop discipline, resilience, and school spirit.

GMS athletics emphasize sportsmanship, personal growth, and having fun while being active. Teams are open to all students, and no prior experience is required to join. It’s all about trying new things, developing confidence, and cheering each other on. 

Girls’ Middle School Arts and Music Programs

The Girls’ Middle School offers a vibrant and engaging arts and music program that encourages students to express themselves creatively and confidently. Visual arts classes introduce students to a range of media, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital design. Projects often connect to themes in core classes, allowing students to explore ideas across disciplines while developing technical skills and artistic voice.

In music, students explore rhythm, composition, and performance through a mix of vocal and instrumental experiences. The program emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and experimentation. Whether students are composing original pieces, learning to play an instrument, or participating in school performances, the arts at GMS are about more than skill-building—they’re about discovering the joy and power of creative expression.

Clubs and organizations at Girls’ Middle School

Clubs and organizations at The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) are student-driven and designed to reflect the interests, passions, and curiosity of the students themselves. Whether it’s coding, creative writing, or community service, there’s something for everyone—and if there’s not, students are encouraged to start their own clubs with faculty support.

These clubs and minicourses provide students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and engage with peers in a supportive environment. Offerings may vary by session and grade level. For more information on the current offerings and how to get involved, please visit GMS’s After School Activities page.

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