Girls Athletic Leadership Schools of Denver are the first and only tuition fre, public, all-girls college preparatory schools in Denver and Colorado.
At Girls Athletic Leadership School in Denver (GALS), students and teachers learn together, lead together, move together, and laugh together.At GALS, the GALS Pledge shapes both our culture and curriculum. While humans are always evolving, we aim for every student to leave GALS confidently living—and believing—its words.
The mission of GALS is to empower students to succeed academically, lead confidently, live boldly and thrive physically.We provide an environment that fosters the academic mastery and personal development necessary for every student to become a powerful advocate for themselves and a leader in their community. Our school model includes a movement (physical wellness) module in which all students and staff participate, incorporating movement into pedagogy, a team of therapeutic counselors to support all students and families as they navigate barriers to academic and life success, a core course focused on social, emotional, and leadership development, and an intentional, wellness-focused culture and curriculum for all students.
Founded in 2010, GALS Denver became Colorado’s first tuition-free, public, gender-based middle school—designed to uplift and empower girls during their most formative years. After expanding to include a high school in 2014, we’ll be returning to our founding purpose in the 2025–2026 school year: championing the growth, voice, and leadership of middle school girls in grades 6–8.
According to Dr. Carlo Cerruti’s research at Harvard University (Exploring Girls’ Attitudes about Math), middle school is a critical period when girls often experience a decline in both their math performance and their attitudes toward the subject. However, studies suggest that girls’ schools can help mitigate this decline compared to co-educational environments. Research by Goodman Research Group (The Girls’ School Experience: A Survey of Young Alumnae of Single-Sex Schools) further shows that attendees of girls’ schools are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology fields than their peers from coeducational schools.
GALS continues to be the only public all-girls school, inclusive of gender non-binary and transgender students, in the state of Colorado. Our model provides an avenue for students to discover and harness their ambitions, and a community in which they can thrive.
GALS Who Lunch, GALS Who Lead
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 11:30 - 1:00 pm | The Curtis Hotel
"The community is really supportive and the culture is very diverse. The all girls aspect really puts the GALS in GALS with a focus on female empowerment and leadership. We’re challenged in new ways and supported through that process rather than being thrown into the deep end. It’s the perfect place to find yourself and a special space for everybody because everyone is included. Plus you get an education at the same time so it’s a win win." - 12th grade student
"I am so incredibly thankful for GALS, especially the teachers and staff. Never before has my daughter experienced such compassionate and qualified teachers. She loves attending school now and feels confident about her abilities!" - 8th grade parent
"Just want you to know that for the first time in YEARS, this little girl is coming home saying she loves school. Don't know exactly what the magic is, but I am so thankful." - 6th grade parent
GALS Denver empowers students to succeed academically, lead confidently, live boldly, and thrive physically.
As we enter our 16th year, GALS continues to center our signature practices, which are grounded in movement-based learning and positive gender focus that targets healthy social, emotional, relational, and leadership development of all students. In our most recent end-of-year Efficacy Survey:
- 96% work hard in school
- 93% will go to college
- 90% believe they are smart
- 80%+ have the support they need from teachers
- 70%+ have the mental health support they need
Last year we again had 100% high school graduation rate, and 100% college acceptance rate.
All dollars raised go directly to critical needs for the schools' unique model, including core social emotional development courses, mental health resources which are vital to the success and wellbeing of our students and staff, and new technology.
HISTORY
In 2007, GALS' founders began the work of conceptualizing a distinct all-girls school. Denver Public School authorized GALS Denver in 2009, as the first public, gender-based school in Colorado. We opened our Middle School doors in 2010, added a High School in 2014. Both schools run our unique model of powerful academics, movement based-learning, and social, emotional, and relational learning. GALS model adds real value to the array of choices available to DPS students and offers students a unique option for pursuing their middle and secondary school educations.
The schools represent a standards-based response to the academic and social, emotional, and relational needs of all students, including many who face real barriers to realizing their full potential. The GALS program promotes the structure necessary to ensure that graduates have the intellectual acumen, critical thinking skills, curiosity, discipline, self-awareness and 21st century leadership skills to achieve success and experience personal and professional fulfillment.
Organization name
Girls Athletic Leadership School (GALS)
other names
GALS Denver
2009
Tax id (EIN)
27-0736802
Category
Education, Youth Development, Human Services, Mental Health & Crisis Intervention
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
750 Galapago StreetDenver County, CO, US