Middle school is a time of discovery. A pivotal stage where curiosity, confidence, and community shape the path of who a young person will become. The preteen and early adolescent years are precisely when young people need exposure to a variety of opportunities and activities as they develop their identities and feed their curiosity. At The Girls’ School of Austin (GSA), this chapter is more than a transition; it’s a transformation. Here, exploration becomes leadership, and every girl is encouraged to step forward, speak up, and soar.

Recent studies show that during middle school, many girls begin to lose confidence in their abilities or hesitate to express their ideas. At GSA, that’s where the difference begins. We don’t need to help them find their voice—we just pass them the mic.

Middle school is in our DNA. Our very first students were fifth and sixth graders, and our school grew from the Middle School downward, rather than starting with Kindergarten, like many new schools do.

From fifth (yes, we start our middle school at fifth grade!) through eighth grade, GSA’s middle schoolers thrive in a supportive, all-girls environment. By age ten, girls are shifting from learning to read, write, and calculate to applying their communication and problem-solving skills in deeper, more meaningful ways. That’s why GSA’s Middle School program is intentionally designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection from the start.

GSA’s academic program engages both sides of the brain, blending creativity, analytical thinking, and collaboration.

• STEM & Math: Students dive into hands-on problem solving with project-based units and cross-curricular connections that make math and science both rigorous and relevant, with special opportunities to engage in engineering, coding, and more.
• Humanities: Classes challenge girls to connect history and literature with real-world issues, encouraging critical thinking and global awareness.
• Spanish: By the end of middle school, students complete Spanish II (and in some cases, Spanish III!) for high school credit—mastering communication, culture, and confidence in a foreign language.
• Beyond the Classroom: With a wide range of extracurricular opportunities like Leadership Club, Student Cabinet, Forensics, Volleyball, Chamber Orchestra, Model UN & Debate, and many more each trimester. These activities provide girls with the space to explore interests, build friendships, and practice leadership in action.

No one gets lost in the shuffle at GSA. Each Middle School student is part of a small advisory group with dedicated co-advisors who guide academic progress, social-emotional growth, and personal development. Using The Social Institute curriculum, girls learn to navigate technology and social media with confidence and empathy.

This individualized attention ensures that every girl is not seen, but supported, as she learns to lead with integrity, compassion, and self-assurance.

GSA’s innovative Futures Thinking program invites our Middle School girls to imagine their place in a rapidly changing world. Through creative problem-solving, design thinking, and long-term goal setting, students learn to see themselves not just as learners, but as future innovators and leaders. As they explore “what if?” scenarios and envision the possibilities ahead, Futures Thinking sparks something essential in adolescents: hope. Girls begin to understand that they aren’t simply preparing for the future, but they have the power to shape it. By thinking boldly and creatively, they discover that their ideas, choices, and voices can influence meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

In a world where many Middle Schoolers face social pressures, our girls’ school offers something rare: an environment grounded in respect and belonging. With small class sizes and a strong support system, girls build authentic friendships and learn how to lift one another up. Plus, friendships are intentionally built across all grade levels through Sister Groups, which are multi-grade teams that meet monthly for activities centered on creativity, collaboration, and female empowerment. These groups foster friendships and mentorships that last long after graduation. Middle School students take the lead in supporting the younger students, whether it’s as simple as walking Kindergarteners to class or as powerful as working together to create “confidence collages” that remind one another of their strengths.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) themes transform into action through our Service Learning Program. Our programming combines formal instruction with meaningful community engagement to effect change. When we know better, we must do better. Through guided reflection, students develop a deeper understanding and build civic responsibility. Each Middle School class has a service learning project that they work on throughout the year.

Placement is a course designed to help our GSA students in the process of selecting a high school. Our Placement Director coordinates with the student, parents, advisors, and high schools to ensure that GSA families have all they need to make an informed decision on where to continue their education.

For Students, This Looks Like:

• Including this course as part of the weekly 8th Grade schedule
• Engaging in discussions to learn more about themselves and their goals
• Identifying interests and passions that correlate with specific high-school programs

Events Include:

• High School Fair (during the fall semester)
• Coordination of High-School Open Houses

Support Services Include:

• Parent Listening Conferences
• Student Listening Conferences
• Test and Interview Practice
• Placement Events Calendar
• Application Deadline Reminders
• Organizational Skills

Once GSA students have completed their applications and the admissions deadlines have been met, the 8th Grade Placement course transforms into a speech-writing class to prepare students for their graduation speeches in May.

If you’re exploring independent, private Middle Schools in Austin, TX, discover how The Girls’ School of Austin stands apart. From our rigorous academics to our nurturing community, GSA offers a Middle School experience where girls don’t just learn—they lead.

RSVP for our Middle School Info Night on December 3rd to see firsthand why GSA is one of the best all girls middle schools and a leader among private schools in Austin, TX.