The Girls' Middle School

The middle school years are important ones for every girl. The Girls' Middle School is dedicated to providing the best possible social, emotional and intellectual learning environment. Because we believe passionately in our mission, we have created a school that is different from public schools and other independent schools in some important ways. When families are considering GMS, we are eager to discuss with them the unique aspects of our educational philosophy and practice. Take a few minutes to review the following and then contact us to learn more about GMS.

Balanced Curriculum	GMS has received a great deal of attention in the press, both locally and nationally, for our math, science, engineering and technology courses. That providing strong coursework in these subjects is newsworthy validates one of the tenets of our existence: Girls often are left behind in these important subjects during the middle school years. However, the reality of the GMS curriculum is that we emphasize all areas of study, liberal arts, social sciences, foreign languages and physical sciences. Walk down our halls and you'll see girls building Web sites, brushing up their conversational Spanish for the Mexico trip or rehearsing their dance for the annual talent show. Our goal is to balance academic rigor and fun to create a love of learning in each girl.
In-Depth Written Evaluations	Because the education needs of each middle-school girl are unique, GMS believes that letter grades fail to provide an adequate assessment of both achievement and potential. For example, a gifted high achiever can receive A's without being stretched, while another girl can be discouraged by a poor letter grade from continuing to strive in a difficult subject. Our written evaluations are comprehensive, personal, informative and effective in determining the education direction for each girl at GMS and into her high school years.
Social and Emotional Learning	Many schools give lip service to helping their students deal with the social and emotional challenges of the middle-school years. At GMS, we give them a weekly class called "Social and Emotional Learning" (SEL) through all three years. The course content includes conflict resolution, dealing with peer pressure, inclusion and exclusion, health and sex education. No issue is off-limits; Sensitive and controversial topics such as abortion, sexual orientation and drugs are discussed. SEL teachers answer all questions with sensitivity and age-appropriate information, while encouraging respect for differing perspectives, backgrounds and lifestyles.
Project-Based Learning and Homework	Because cooperation and teamwork are fundamental skills that girls need, our learning emphasis is on learning in small, interactive groups of girls. Therefore, more actual work is accomplished during school hours and less is designated as take-home work. In addition, we believe that for many middle-school girls, homework takes on a dominant role in family and social life, crowding out other more valuable activities. Our girls, like all of us, need time to play and relax from the pressures of their days. By reducing repetitive busy-work and honing down assignments to focus on essential skillbuilding, GMS teachers train their students to use homework time more productively.
Laptop Program	GMS teachers clamored for ubiquitous access to computer technology in order to provide the highest quality learning possible. In response, we developed a one-to-one laptop program where each girl receives a MacBook which goes home with her each day. Computers are integrated into the curriculum thoughtfully to enhance students' learning. The girls develop ownership, comfort, and confidence with their laptops which facilitates high quality work.
Ethnic and Economic Diversity	Racial and class discrimination are facts of life in 21st century America. GMS believes strongly that we must confront these problems head-on to provide equality of opportunity for every girl regardless of her background and circumstances. We employ an outreach coordinator and recruit high-achieving, economically disadvantaged students and students of color. We also provide need-based financial aid to low income families, with 20% of our students receiving some assistance. In addition, our multicultural curriculum enables each girl to celebrate herself and her heritage.
Dress Code	GMS 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 school community and pride. Do the girls like this approach initially? Not all of them. Do they benefit from it? We believe strongly that the answer is Yes. Over time, many of them become strong advocates of the dress code.
Family Involvement	Ultimately, education revolves around the family's values and commitment to the school and the girl. When a family entrusts their daughter's education to GMS, they also make a commitment of time and money. When we evaluate potential candidates for admission, we look for families who can partner with us to work for a common goal: The best possible education for your daughter. (Learn more about family involvement at GMS>>).
Tuition	As do most independent private schools, GMS relies upon tuition for most of our operating budget. Tuition for the 2007-2008 school year is $18,000 per year per girl. Tuition covers basic educational expenses, most materials and activities. Uniforms and trips represent an additional expense. In addition, all families are expected to participate in our Guided Giving program according to their financial circumstances. (Learn more about Guided Giving>>).

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