How GALS Denver Fosters Confidence in Middle School Girls

Middle school is when girls’ confidence often takes a hit. As CRG notes, girls’ self‑confidence often declines in early adolescence as achievement motivation falls.

“Girls’ self-confidence declines as they move from childhood into adolescence. Achievement motivation suffers as greater emphasis is placed on the way they look.”

But at GALS Denver, we’ve built a model designed to help young women know themselves, find their voices, and lead with power. Here's how we intentionally cultivate self‑esteem through our distinct blend of all‑girls community, movement‑based learning, and social‑emotional curriculum.

An All‑Girls Culture Builds Strong Leadership Skills

From day one, GALS is designed so girls can “take up space, own their power, and use their voice.” That’s not just rhetoric; it’s how our classrooms and culture function. Teachers intentionally prioritize student voices, and leadership opportunities are open to all. Research consistently shows that girls in single‑gender settings feel more comfortable participating, less impacted by stereotype threat, and more willing to test their intellectual limits, especially in adolescence.

“A single‑gender learning environment gave her the freedom to reach her fullest potential… She spoke more freely, studied harder, and felt encouraged in ways she never did around boys.” - Middle school parent

We create an environment where leadership isn’t just taught; it’s lived every day. Surrounded by strong role models, engaged in meaningful conversations about women’s voices and issues, and supported by a community that believes in their power, our students learn to lead with confidence and purpose. Research backs what we see every day: girls in all-girls learning environments are more likely to step into leadership roles, believe in their abilities, and use their voices to create change, setting them up for success throughout their lives.

Movement as a Catalyst for Confidence

Each day at GALS begins with 45 minutes of morning movement, and movement is woven into lessons across subjects. Whether it’s dancing fractions, playing team sports, or practicing yoga, this approach boosts mood, attention, memory, and a sense of accomplishment

“Movement helped my daughter focus… brought joy, energy, and confidence into learning.” —Parent of a gifted learner

Studies show that daily physical activity directly correlates with emotional resilience and self‑efficacy. Girls come to see their bodies as powerful tools, not constraints. At GALS, 87 % of students report that movement helps them learn; 91 % say it affirms their intelligence and focus.

GALS Series: A Core Course in Self‑Discovery

According to research from PACE,

“Up until fifth grade, female students report higher average self-efficacy than male students, although all students report higher than average self-efficacy. Starting in sixth grade, this gap reverses: male students report higher average self-efficacy than female students. This female-male efficacy gap then widens rapidly throughout middle school and levels off in high school.”

To prevent this drop in self-efficacy that most girls experience, every GALS middle schooler takes part in GALS Series. GALS Series is a daily curriculum focused entirely on themes like wellness, voice, identity, relationships, and goal setting. In 6th grade, girls explore emotional intelligence and identity. In 7th, they deepen their skills in expressing voice and body awareness. In 8th, they produce a culminating project and take leadership roles in their community, solidifying not just ideas, but habits of confidence and self‑advocacy.

A Values‑Driven, Inclusive Community

GALS is committed to equity and belonging. Affinity groups (Black Queens Alliance, LatinX, Rainbow), signature events (International Women’s Day, GALympics), and student‑led clubs allow every girl to practice leadership and assert her unique identity in a supportive environment

“Team events like GALympics and Thunder Wars built leadership skills, camaraderie, and confidence—and made middle school fun.” - Middle school student

Why It Matters: Middle School Is a Turning Point

Research underscores that girls often experience a drop in academic confidence and self‑belief during middle school, particularly in math and STEM subjects. The GALS Denver model offers a proven path to counteract that trend: a space where girls are centered, supported, and challenged.

The GALS Difference: Confidence by Design

At GALS Denver, we emphasize not just academic excellence, but whole‑girl development. GALS is a place built for middle school girls to feel seen, supported, and strengthened. Our intentional design, movement‑based pedagogy, and purposeful social‑emotional curriculum provide a context that undeniably fosters confidence and self-esteem in ways that matter most in middle school.