GALA APPLICATION
APPLICATION INFO
ADMISSIONS INFO
HIGHLIGHTS
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LAUSD Application: LAUSD Choices On-Time Application for the 2026-2027 school year opens October 1, 2025 with a deadline of November 14, 2025. The LAUSD website and CHOICES brochure will be updated at end of September. Due to the volume of GALA applicants and the hundreds of students on the waitlist who submit an on-time application, late applications for GALA are not considered.
Category Update: LAUSD moved GALA into the Single Gender Academy School for Advanced Studies (SAS) category on the Choices application. If you applied to GALA in previous years, the separate GALA questionnaire is no longer required or accepted.
Tours: For school tour information, click HERE. Tours are only September-November. In-person tours are ONLY for students currently in grades 5-11. If your student is in 4th grade or below, please only sign up for the virtual tour. GALA does not do "shadow" days or private tours.
IMPORTANT DATES
September 2025 - Information about the LAUSD Choices application/lottery are on the LAUSD website end of September. We highly recommend you not only visit the GALA website but also the LAUSD eChoices Unified Enrollment web page.
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September - November 2025 - GALA School Tours. In-person school tours are ONLY for students in the 5th grade or older. If your student is younger than 5th grade, please only choose the virtual school tour option.
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October 1-November 14, 2025 - LAUSD Unified Enrollment application is open. The deadline is November 14, 2025.
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December 5, 2025 - If coming from a non-LAUSD school, this is the deadline to submit the Eligibility Verification Form to LAUSD. This updated form is available on the CHOICES website end of September.​
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March 9-13, 2026 - Notifications are sent by LAUSD the week of March 9th. Applicants are not always emailed their results from LAUSD so be sure and also check your LAUSD parent or application portal. LAUSD does rolling notifications so you may get your email on a Monday or you might get it later in the week on a Friday. GALA will follow up with an email the third week of March once the LAUSD emails have been sent. GALA does not have information as to when your LAUSD email will be send so we kindly ask that you not call the GALA office for this information. Also, check your SPAM folder or your LAUSD Parent Portal. Check your email inbox for more info. Email admissions@galacademy.org with questions.
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April 1, 2026: If accepted, this is your deadline to RSVP for the GALA Registration Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
April 10, 2026: If accepted, April 10th is the LAUSD Unified Enrollment deadline to log into your account and accept or decline GALA. If you do not sign the LAUSD accept form by the deadline, your spot will be forfeited. If you accept at another LAUSD school, your spot at GALA is automatically forfeited.
April 25, 2026 - If accepted, first day to register at Registration Day for accepted students.
April 27-May 1, 2026 - If accepted, Registration drop off in the office for anyone not attending the April 25th Registration Day. Hours 8:30-11am.
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May 1, 2025 - Deadline for accepted students to turn in their registration paperwork to the GALA office. Any accepted student who have not submitted all required forms by this date will automatically forfeit their spot at GALA.
June 1, 2024-September 1, 2024 - Any open spots opened to the waiting list.
APPLICATION INFO
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2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR: Applications are now closed for this school year.
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2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR: LAUSD on-time applications are October 1-November 14, 2025. LAUSD can change their application process for GALA at any time so be sure to also check back on the GALA website for updates.
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CATEGORY CHANGE: Starting with the 2026-2027 school year applications, LAUSD moved GALA into the Single Gender Academy School for Advanced Studies (SAS) category. See below for more information.
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LOTTERY: LAUSD conducts a lottery for GALA applications and typically posts each individual outcome in parent portals in mid-March.
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LATE APPLICATIONS: Because we have hundreds more applications than spots available, we do not accept late applications. If you submit an LAUSD Unified Enrollment application after the November deadline, your application will likely not be considered as we have hundreds of students on the waitlist who submitted an on-time application
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SIBLING APPLICATIONS: All siblings of currently enrolled GALA students must follow the LAUSD application process to be considered. Be sure that your applying sibling is connected as a sibling to your current GALA sibling in your LAUSD application and parent portal. Siblings of current GALA students residing within the LAUSD boundaries have priority.
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PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS: If you were waitlisted in a previous year, LAUSD does not roll over wait lists from year to year. A new LAUSD application needs to be filled out. There is no priority for previously applications submitted.
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OTHER INFO: GALA does NOT offer "shadow" days or private tours.
SAS INFO
​LAUSD SAS INFO: Click HERE.
LAUSD SAS ELIGIBILITY INFO: Click HERE.
LAUSD SAS APPLICATION INFO: Click HERE.
LAUSD GATE 101: Click HERE.
LAUSD GATE INFO: Click HERE.
LAUSD CHOICES APPLICATION: Click HERE.
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LAUSD CHOICES APPLICTION HOTLINE: Applyforschools@lausd.net or (213) 241-4177 or (213) 241-8361
LAUSD GATE INFORMATION: GATE@lausd.net or (213) 241-4177
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WHAT ARE SAS SINGLE GENDER ACADEMIES?: GALA offers rigorous academic programs in a unique single gender education setting, including access to AP courses, dual enrollment college classes, college prep designed to empower gifted, advanced, and highly motivated students in grades 6-12
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WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM?: Students at GALA and BALA will:
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Engage in a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
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Benefit from voluntary, student-driven enrollment in a single gender setting that supports academic excellence and personal growth
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Develop the intellectual curiosity and academic skills needed to excel in college and succeed in future careers
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Cultivate a strong, confident, and independent voice
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Build collaborative and compassionate leadership skills
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Foster a deep sense of self-awareness and connection to the community
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Embrace ethical leadership and a commitment to equity and integrity
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Live out the core values of excellence, leadership, and wellness in all aspects of their school experience
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE?: Applicants must meet one of the three SAS eligibility criteria and voluntarily commit to the expectations of a rigorous, STEM-focused academic program in a single gender learning environment. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to review and follow verification of eligibility procedures before applying. There are many ways to be designated as eligible by LAUSD. This includes Intellectual Ability, High Achievement Ability, Specific Academic Ability, Creative Ability, Leadership Ability. Click HERE for more eligibility information.
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IF MY STUDENT IS CURRENTLY ATTENDING A NON-LAUSD SCHOOL, CAN I STILL APPLY? Yes! LAUSD Website - "A Verification of Eligibility form is required for students currently enrolled in a private school, independent charter, or non-District school. Forms for the 2026-2027 are available for download on the LAUSD website by the end of September. For the on-time process, the parent/guardian must complete the Choices application by November 14, 2025 and have your current school submit the Verification of Eligibility form by December 5, 2025. Please refer to the LAUSD CHOICES website or the Choices brochure for detailed directions about submitting the form, if applicable. Late forms will not be accepted for the on-time application period; the recommendation submitted by the administrator is final. "
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IF MY STUDENT IS HOMESCHOOLED, CAN I STILL APPLY? Yes! LAUSD Website - "An alternate verification process is conducted for homeschooled applicants to Gifted Magnet/SAS without a verifying organization. This verification process must be initiated by the parent/guardian prior to the Choices deadline of Friday, November 14, 2025. Please contact Gifted/Talented Programs at (213) 241-4177 or GATE@lausd.net to initiate this verification process. Late inquiries will not be accepted for on-time application and selection. Homeschool information also HERE."
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HOW ARE STUDENT SELECTED?: If there are more qualified applicants than spaces available, a random, unbiased selection process will be conducted. The selection process for SAS Single Gender Academy applicants who meet eligibility criteria will be conducted in this order:
1) Siblings of current GALA students residing within the Los Angeles Unified boundaries
2) Applicants residing within the Los Angeles Unified boundaries (For GALA applications, there are no school boundaries and there is no preference to where you live within the LAUSD boundaries.)
3) Siblings residing outside the Los Angeles Unified boundaries; Inter-District Permit required (after acceptance)
4) Applicants residing outside the Los Angeles Unified boundaries; Inter-District Permit required (after acceptance) -
IS THERE TRANSPORTATION?: Transportation may be available for students residing within Los Angeles Unified boundaries who participate in Choices programs. Please visit the Transportation Services Division website at www.lausd.org/transportation to complete the opt-in process or speak to an administrator at your school to inquire about transportation options.
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WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?: Please contact the Choices Support Line at (213) 241-4177 or applyforschools@lausd.net if you have questions about SAS Single Gender Academies. For questions about GALA school tours, click HERE.​
NEW GALA LOCATION
We are elated to announce that in August 2024, GALA moved to its own campus. After being co-located on a co-ed campus for the first 8 years, as an all-girls model, we believe our mission and vision will be fully realized on our own all-girls campus. Our new location is nestled and surrounded on three sides by the beautiful Mount. Saint Mary's Doheny Campus (the only all-girls college in Los Angeles), the area's historic Victorian mansions, and conveniently located within walking distance from the Expo train line. We have already partnered with Mount Saint Mary's and USC on multiple projects and we can't wait to continue those relationships. The location is at 2328 St. James Place. In September 2023, the School Board also approved a 2-Phase campus improvement project that includes painting, upgrading, and adding bungalows. Click HERE for a pic.
LAUSD will be providing transportation to GALA via school buses from select areas. For questions, LAUSD Transportation is in charge of routes and busing. We hope you are as excited as we are that we finally have a campus to call our own!
Faq
APPLYING TO GALA
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​I SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION BUT MY STUDENT WAS WAIT LISTED. DO I HAVE TO APPLY AGAIN?
Yes, LAUSD does not roll over wait lists from year to year. A new application is needed for each year applying with the new grade level your student will be entering for next year. This is true for current siblings or any applicants.
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WHEN DO I APPLY?
Apply on the LAUSD CHOICES website and indicate GALA as your school of choice from October 1 - November 14, 2025. For 2026-2027, GALA is under the SAS Single Gender Academy category.
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DO YOU TAKE LATE APPLICATIONS?
We typically have over 1000 more applications than spots available and we will have hundreds of students who submitted an on-time application on our waiting list. Out of equity to those students, open spots will go to that list first. Therefore, it is highly unlikely we will ever get to the late application wait list.
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CAN I JUST COME TO THE SCHOOL TO ENROLL?
No. You must apply through LAUSD Choices application. Eligible students are selected through an LAUSD lottery.
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ACCEPTED TO GALA
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IF ACCEPTED, HOW DO I CLAIM MY SPOT?:
This is a 3-step process and you must do all steps by the deadlines or your spot at GALA could be forfeited and filled from the waiting list. Please ask all questions to admissions@galacademy.org BEFORE you fill out these steps.
1) On your LAUSD acceptance email or in your LAUSD CHOICES application portal, you should find instructions how to "accept" your offer from LAUSD. You must do this by the deadline (April 10, 2026). With LAUSD Unified Enrollment, our understanding is that if you are accepted to multiple LAUSD schools, once you "accept" at your school choice, you will be dropped from the other schools in which you have been accepted. If your student has an IEP, before you accept, please email us so we can have you meet with our RSP teacher so you can be confident in our support services.
2) On your GALA acceptance letter/email, you will find a link to fill out our RSVP form for Registration Day and will allow you to make an appointment to register. Please fill this form by the RSVP deadline on your acceptance letter.
3) Submit all of your registration forms and copies of required personal documents by the deadline on your GALA acceptance letter.
WHAT IF WE MAKE OTHER SCHOOL PLANS AND WANT TO WITHDRAW OUR APPLICATION, ACCEPTANCE, OR WAIT LIST STATUS FROM GALA?:
We know finding the right school for your daughter can be a lengthy process. If you submit an application to GALA and then make other school plans, move, etc., please let us know ASAP so that we may remove your application. Likewise, if you are accepted or wait listed... and you have committed to a different school, please let us know ASAP at admissions@galacademy.org so that we can open your spot to another girl.
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IF ADMITTED, WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?
If you are admitted and you decide to enroll, the following documents will need to be submitted on Registration Day in April: LAUSD Registration Forms including the media waiver form and the Device/Chromebook form, GALA policy forms, a copy of your driver's license or state ID, utility bill (not telephone), immunization records (Tdap required for 7th grade and above), report card, transcript (high school), student birth certificate, and, if applicable, your IEP plan, 504 plan, inter-district permit (if coming from outside of LAUSD), and any court custody agreements. In addition, GALA policy forms including the GALA honor code, uniform policy, and the social media policy. A full list and details will be on the Registration webpage in the acceptance email. Please see the deadlines at the top of this page to submit registration paperwork.
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IF ADMITTED, DO YOU HAVE A REGISTRATION DAY OR ORIENTATION DAY TO SEE THE CAMPUS?
We do have a Registration Day in the Spring and a student orientation in August.
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WAIT LISTED TO GALA
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WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER IS ON THE WAITING LIST?
We typically fill from the waiting list from May through August as spots become available. There is not one day where we fill from the waiting list and we sometimes fill from the waiting list after school starts in August. Some years we have not been able to admit any students from the wait list, while other years we have been able to admit a small number of students.
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​I SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR BUT MY STUDENT WAS WAIT LISTED. DO I HAVE TO APPLY AGAIN?
Yes, LAUSD does not roll over wait lists from year to year. A new application is needed for each year applying with the new grade level your student will be entering for next year.
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OTHER QUESTIONS
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I HEARD YOU MOVED?
Yes, GALA moved to 2328 St. James Place, Los Angeles, CA 90007 in August 2024. This campus only has GALA students, we are not co-located with any other school. After being co-located with a co-ed campus for eight years, we are elated to finally be able to fulfill our true mission of an all-girls school by having our own campus. We are surrounded on three sides by the only all-girls university in Los Angeles, the Mount Saint Mary's Doheny campus. You can see a picture HERE.
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HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION TO GALA?
LAUSD does provide transportation (school buses) to students depending on your location. This is administered by LAUSD and NOT by GALA. Contact LAUSD transportation to find out if your family qualifies for transportation. Because our students come from 100 different zip codes, LAUSD usually sends out bus route information a week or two before school starts. Pick-up and drop-off is at select LAUSD schools throughout Los Angeles. There are no "late" buses.
Website: https://lausd.org/transportation or call (213) 241-1000.
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DO YOU HAVE SPORTS FACILITIES?
GALA does not have competitive Middle School sports. GALA has 10 CIF High School competitive sports. Most of GALA's High School teams practice on our campus (except swim), however, all games take place at other campuses or facilities.
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MY DAUGHTER IS NOT REALLY INTERESTED IN STEM OR ALL-GIRLS, WOULD GALA BE A GOOD FIT?
A typical GALA girl is highly motivated academically, has a genuine interest in STEM, and has a personal desire to be in an all-girls environment. It is important to know that GALA is a STEM-focused school and not an arts school. We do not have a drama department, but we do have an award-winning robotics team! GALA is also a uniform school and our uniform policy is strictly enforced.
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I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT GALA, WHO CAN I SPEAK WITH?:
Please email admissions@galacademy.org​
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I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAUSD APPLICATION, WHO CAN I SPEAK WITH?
Choices Support Hotline is available 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
Tel:(213) 241-4177 or (877) 462-4798
Email:Applyforschools@lausd.net
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“GALA has given me the opportunity that many do not have... We are able to spend time in a nurturing environment that allows us to have a voice and the confidence to use it. Our voices can change the world and we need to utilize the voices we have to their full potential so we have the opportunity to impact others. We need to be the voice for others that do not have the privilege to use theirs.”
- GALA Class of 2024 Student attending Yale University
GALA: Where girls love to be SMART, SELF-CONFIDENT, and SUCCESSFUL!
