6 Reasons to Choose an All-Girls Middle School

Middle school is a formative time. It is a bridge between the innocence of elementary school and the growing independence of high school. It’s also a time when girls begin to navigate complex social dynamics, grapple with self-identity, and build the foundations for lifelong confidence and ambition. For many families, choosing an all-girls middle school provides a supportive environment tailored to meet the unique needs of girls at this critical stage.

Here are six key benefits of attending an all-girls middle school, each offering a powerful reason to consider this path:

Boosted Self-Esteem

Adolescence can be a fragile time for self-confidence. In an all-girls environment, students are more likely to speak up in class, take on leadership roles, and explore new interests without the social pressures or stereotypes that can exist in coed settings. This confidence boost in the middle years often lays the groundwork for a keen sense of self going into high school and beyond.

“All-girls settings seem to provide girls a certain comfort level that helps them develop greater self-confidence and broader interests, especially as they approach adolescence.” —Dr. Rosemary C. Salomone, St. John’s University, Same, Difference, Equal: Rethinking Single-Sex Schooling (Shared by the International Coalition of Girls Schools).

Freedom from Gender Stereotypes

In a single-gender setting, students are free to pursue their passions, whether it's coding, robotics, creative writing, or competitive sports, without being boxed in by traditional gender norms. According to research from the Girls’ School Association in the United Kingdom, girls are more likely to explore STEM subjects and other traditionally male-dominated fields in all-girls schools.

• They are 2.9 times more likely to take Further Mathematics.
• They are 2.3 times more likely to take Physics at A-level.
• They are 2 times more likely to take Economics at A-level
• They are also more likely to take other sciences:
  • Biology (38% higher)
  • Chemistry (83% higher)
  • Computer Science (79% higher)

Stronger Academic Focus

Without the distractions that can come with a coed environment, many students in all-girls schools report a greater focus on academics. Teachers often use strategies tailored to teach in ways that girls specifically learn best, and curriculum design can reflect an understanding of girls’ cognitive and emotional development at this age. By incorporating movement into learning, academics are further enhanced through improved attention, memory, decision-making, and executive function

Leadership Development

All-girls middle schools provide abundant opportunities for students to lead, whether in student government, clubs, group projects, or community initiatives. Because a girl fills every leadership role, students see themselves not only as participants but as natural leaders.

“All-girls programs pave the way for the next generation of women leaders and scholars. These programs allow young girls to be free to explore new roles and aspirations in a comfortable environment…encouraging them to achieve their goals and go against the norms of society.”  - UCSD Guardian.

Positive Peer Culture

According to Greater Good in Education, “Peer relationships play an important role in children’s school lives, and relationships with peers become even more influential as children enter adolescence.”

Middle school can sometimes be a minefield of social comparison. All-girls schools often foster intentional communities that prioritize collaboration over competition and emphasize empathy, kindness, and inclusion. According to research completed by Christine E. Hanson at Utah State University entitled “Exploring the Impact of Positive Peer Views of Girls on School Engagement in Middle School Girls,” Hanson concluded that “middle school girls were also found to receive more microaggressions from boys than other girls and more microaffirmations from other girls than boys.” This culture of mutual support helps students form authentic friendships and navigate social challenges with confidence.

Preparation for a Changing World

Girls who attend all-girls middle schools enter high school with a powerful sense of identity and purpose. They’ve been encouraged to use their voices, take risks, and believe in their potential. According to Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC), all-girls organizations “gave girls a mechanism through which they could voice their needs, be heard, and participate in decisions relating to their education.”

These qualities are crucial in today’s complex, fast-changing world. The foundation built in middle school can lead to greater resilience and ambition throughout high school and life.

Why Choose GALS

Choosing a middle school is a deeply personal decision, but for many families, an all-girls environment offers a unique and powerful advantage during some of the most transformative years in a young person’s life. In future posts, we’ll take a deeper dive into each of these six benefits and share stories, strategies, and insights that highlight how all-girls education helps students thrive.

GALS Denver has created an environment where girls have the opportunity to know themselves well, take up space, own their power, and use their voice. Our curriculum and culture put them front and center with the potential to learn and practice the skills that will serve them in being their most authentic selves in the world.