The Young Women's Leadership Network School at Rhodes (Philadelphia)

http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/r/rhodes

The Young Women’s Leadership Network School was formed in 2002 when Victory Schools Inc. was brought in to separate the genders at Fitzsimons Middle School in North Philadelphia. Victory called upon the assistance of YWL Network to support the work of the all-girls’ school. In 2005 the girl's school moved into its own building in the former space of Rhodes Middle School. The school is thriving in its new home and is officially called The Young Women’s Leadership School at Rhodes.

The school serves approximately 700 girls in grades 7-12 and had its first class of seniors graduate in June 2007. The school is a zoned middle school for North Philadelphia. Students have the option not to attend the single-gender academies but the school must accept all students who wish to enroll.

YWL Network has funded a full-time CollegeBound Initiative counselor, Sonia Szymanski, since 2004 and in 2006 added another staff member, Michele Garcon, YWL Field Representative. Their primary roles are to implement college awareness, SAT Prep, coordinate program partnerships, summer programs, after-school programs and facilitate community service programs. YWL Network also facilitates teacher and student exchanges and sharing of best practices among the YWL Network schools.

		Grade Levels : 7-12
		Enrollment: 700
		Attendance: above 90%
		Demographics: 98% African American; 1% Latina, 1% Asian or other.
		99% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Results:

		The school graduated its first class of seniors – 97% of students graduated and 95% are enrolled in college or post-secondary education. In 2008 89% of the second classof graduatesenrolled in college.
		The school passed all 13 levels of the national AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) Test in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act.
		TYWLS at Rhodes has established partnerships with Drexel University at Villa Nova University College, Temple University, Ursinus College, Girls Inc., the Ronald McDonald House, The Benjamin Wiley Parnership Program  and the American Institute of Architects, to name just a few.

Contact information

Principal, Young Women’s Leadership School at Rhodes: Linda Wayman

CollegeBound Counselor: Sonia Syzmanski

Field Representative: Michele Garcon

29th and Clearfield Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19132
Phone: 215-227-4402
Fax: 215-227-4926