Young Women's Leadership Foundation

"Every child in this country should be given the chance to reach his or her full potential. If a child or parent believes that there is a better chance of success in a single-sex classroom, then public schools should have the ability to provide that option." - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)

The Young Women's Leadership School in East Harlem

The YWL Network has paved the way for all-girls' public education in the United States. Our first school, The Young Women’s Leadership School in East Harlem (TYWLS) serves as a national catalyst for change, has a framework for academic success and achieves tremendous results.

As we open new all-girls' public school across the country and replicate success, we are committed to giving urban students choice and opportunities for a first rate education and a path away from the cycles of poverty.

YWL Network Schools

  • Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem
  • Young Women’s Leadership School (North Philadelphia)
  • Young Women’s Leadership School, Queens
  • Young Women’s Leadership School, Astoria
  • Young Women’s Leadership School, Brooklyn

Open House Dates

Affiliate Schools

Illinois: The Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago (http://www.ywlcs.org)

Texas (http://www.feyw.org/feyw)

The Irma Rangel Leadership School – Dallas
The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders – Austin
San Antonio Leadership Academy
Lubbock School for Young Women Leaders

YWL Foundation believes that each school's curriculum and culture should reflect the interests of local educators, parents and community leaders. However, all of our schools are unified by common goals and the core values that create success at Young Women’s and Young Men’s Leadership Schools.

Core Values of YWL Network Schools

Core Values of YWL Network Schools • Single-gender Environment
• Small Schools Engaged in Leadership Development
• High Expectations
• College Preparatory
• Focus on Results

Click here to view YWL Foundation's presentation "Reviving Ophelia & Raising Cain: Single Gender Public Schools, 10 Years and Growing". This was presented by Executive Director Maureen Colburn and TYWLS, East Harlem Principal Kathleen Ponze at the National Effective Schools Conference in Santa Fe, NM (June 2006).

YWL Network has pre-selected dates for public tours. If you are an interested in visiting our schools please fill out the attached form to give us more information. It can be returned to kponze@ywlnetwork.org.

Public Tour Application