The YWL Network made history and headlines when it opened the first single-sex public school in 1996. Since then, the schools and programs of the foundation continue to be recognized and praised.

Remarks by Notable Individuals

“When I heard your stories, I saw my life in your lives… Girls, you have proven that this is what public education can be.” – Oprah Winfrey, keynote speaker at TYWLS Graduation Ceremonies (2001)

“The Young Women’s Leadership School is one of the premiere public schools in the nation. We could use more schools such as this... There should not be any obstacle to providing single-sex choice within the public school system.” – U.S. Senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton, June 7, 2002

“The Young Women's Leadership School is a beacon among public schools.” – Dr. Ruth Simmons, President of Brown University

“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)

“Visiting this school [TYWL East Harlem] fortifies my already strong belief that these kinds of schools should be available for parents.” – Rod Paige, U. S. Secretary of Education

“The challenge here is to help girls help themselves and each other by being together positively — which they so desperately need.” – Gloria Steinem

“Single-sex schools are not right for all kids, but they should be available for those who choose them.”
– Diane Ravitch, Research Professor of Education at New York University.

“The school is an oasis of excellence and hope in a desert of poverty, crime and despair.” – Rosemary Salomone, professor of law at St. John’s University

“The effects of single-sex schools are greatest among black and Hispanic females from low socioeconomic backgrounds.” – Cornelius Riordan, Professor of Sociology, Providence College

In the Press

“For well over a century affluent families have chosen to send their daughters to private schools... why should girls of more modest means be denied the option?” – The Wall Street Journal

“Despite disadvantages like poverty, the girls at the Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem have amassed an impressive record.” – The New York Times

“The Harlem school is flourishing... The proof is in the voices. It resembles an affluent private school in many ways, sans the tuition fee.” – The Christian Science Monitor

“The Young Women’s Leadership School in East Harlem is not a typical inner-city school. It’s a school, where learning has the highest priority.” – Newsweek

“The prospect for establishing an all-girls charter school focusing on math, science and technology represents a bold and admirable idea whose time has come.” – The Chicago Sun-Times

“Single-sex schools present a way for girls to develop self-confidence and leadership skills without being fearful of showing off their brains.” – USA Today

“The Young Women’s Leadership School in East Harlem is not a bastion of gender discrimination... It’s a place where young women get a fair chance to get a solid education.” – The New York Daily News

“Students at the controversial East Harlem all-girls public school are leaving their counterparts in the dust.” – The New York Post

“The Leadership School takes girls out of a coed system where they had only a 50% chance of graduating on time, raises their test scores and grades and sends most of them to four-year colleges with financial aid.” – Los Angeles Times

Testimonials

“This school was a step to the future. This school shows me a lot of what I can do. It doesn’t tell me you can’t do anything because you’re a girl.” – Marilyn, student at TYWLS

“I was impressed by the academic portion of it. I liked the fact it was a college prep school. I was not trying to shield my daughter from boys.” – Winsome McDermott, TYWLS parent

“In a world of followers, we dare to be leaders.“ – Jeanette, TYWLS Salutatorian, Class of 2001

“All-girls schools are less distracting than co-ed schools. When boys are around, girls start being concerned with how they look and then there is jealously among the girls.”
– Brittney, student at YWLCS (Chicago)

“My daughter is confident, she works hard and she is resilient. These are the things that TYWLS puts into the minds and spirits of all its students.“ – Perry Heywood, TYWLS parent

“I don’t think other schools have the kind of guidance we do. Beginning in 7th grade, we start talking about college.” – Fatouma, TYWLS graduate

“The positive impact CollegeBound has made upon our school is priceless. Your program has made college a reality for numerous students who would not normally have had the opportunity to even consider college as a possibility and it has opened doors for them that they did not know existed.” – Bonnie LaBoy, Principal at The Brooklyn School for Global Studies

“I presently have dreams as far as the horizon but there was a time when I did not believe that my dreams could come true. Now, there is no more doubt in my mind that I can go to college, thanks to CollegeBound.” – Reanna, a CollegeBound Student at The High School for Arts and Business

“CollegeBound has given me the opportunity to have many college choices and to be able to gain an advantage that other children in public high schools do not have.” – Julie, a CollegeBound student at Middle College High School

“Some girls need the kind of environment The Young Women’s Leadership School’s vision provides. They need to be encouraged to speak out. They need a close-knit relationship with faculty. Most of all, they need to feel comfortable in order to project themselves. The Young Women’s Leadership School delivers all that and more.” – Carla, TYWLS Alumnae

“Since I entered this school, my grades went from a low of 60 to a high of 80…Since I entered this school I have felt like a leader.” – Phyllis, student at TYWLS.

“College has truly exceeded my expectations. My CollegeBound counselor was there every step of the way and encouraged me to go for the best and that's exactly what I did." – Freddy Anas, Graduate of High School for Arts and Business, class of 2003 currently enrolled at NYU.