Why Single-Gender Education in Public Schools?

Before we created our schools, single gender options were available only to affluent, parochial, or yeshiva students. Because of the successes in those communities, we believed the all-girl's model would have an even greater impact in the inner cities and that underserved students and parents deserved the same opportunity. Single-gender public schools offer an appealing alternative to public schools where gender distinctions in learning and social development are mostly ignored.

What Makes Our Schools Unique?

Our schools are small and use the 7th through 12th grade model. A strong public-private partnership exists, in that every day a member of our foundation is working on the schools. Our curriculums are first-rate college prep programs. A full-time trained college counselor, funded by YWL Foundation, is placed in each of our schools. We emphasize achievement, leadership, scholarship and future. Our track record and know-how enables us to replicate our schools anywhere. All YWL Network schools are unified by a set of Core Values.

Core Values of YWL Network Schools

• Single-Gender Environment
• Small Schools Engaged in Leadership Development
• High Expectations
• College Preparatory
• Focus on Results

For a more detailed explanation on the YWL Core Values, please click here Core Values

Every Student College Bound

At our schools high standards define the culture and each student is expected to go to college. That is why our foundation provides highly qualified and trained college guidance counselors in each school on a permanent basis. YWL Foundation’s program CollegeBound is a comprehensive college guidance program in all YWL Network schools and in five of co-ed New York City public high schools. The CollegeBound counselor’s sole responsibility is to guide students and parents through the entire college admissions and financial aid process and to instill in the younger students the importance of a college education.

Our National Impact

The YWL Foundation was instrumental in shaping legislation that became part of the “No Child Left Behind Act”, which became law in January 2002. The success and statistics of The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem were read into the congressional record, followed by a unanimous Senate vote to provide federal funding for single-gender schools and programs. For many years, only a limited number of public schools in the United States offered single-gender educational opportunities. In the 2004-2005 school year, 33 single-sex public schools will be in operation and roughly 90 other co-ed public schools will offer single-gender classrooms.

Our Goals

Our goal is to create all-girls public schools and college guidance programs in New York City and to create a network of top quality schools across the nation. The YWL Foundation has blazed the trail and has expanded the choices offered to students and families. Our work has forever changed the face of public education in this country and will continue to change the lives of the students we touch.

The YWL Network currently includes four all-girls public schools in New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia and an affiliate school in Dallas. To expand options and opportunities, our Foundation seeks to build on our success and to extend our impact on public education. In September 2005, we will open a new school: The Young Women’s Leadership School of Queens.