The Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago (YWLCS)

The Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago (YWLCS) opened its doors in August 2000 after they were awarded a charter by the Chicago Board of Education. YWLCS is a replication of The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem and is the only all-girls public school in the city. The mission of the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago is to provide urban girls a rigorous college preparatory education focusing on math, science, technology and the development of leadership skills.

General Information

		340 girls in grades 7-12.
		The school is located in Chicago’s south side and students come from 30 different communities in Chicago.
		Demographics:– 73% African American, 17% Latina, 9% Caucasian; 1% Asian.
		70% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
		Admission to the school is open by lottery.
		In grades 9-10, students participate in internships in a variety of Chicago businesses and organizations.

Results and Statistics

		YWLCS was recently ranked the #1 small school in Chicago for graduation rates and college enrollment.
		The first class of senior girls graduated in June 2004. 89% of these students are going to college; 41% plan to major in math, science or technology.
		The second class graduated in 2005 100% of the girls were accepted to college
		The class of 2006: 89% going to college.
		YWLCS students have taken state tests only once in May 2002, and the results were very positive. 68% of the 7th graders met or exceeded state standards in science. In social studies, 46% met or exceeded the standards.
		In Chicago, YWLCS students traveled to the Puerto Rican rain forest to study the environment; participated in internship programs in businesses and nonprofits around the city, partnered with Music Theatre Workshop to perform the 3rd annual musical: Diva, Dolls and Drama Queens and the school also partnered with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Women in Sciences.
		2006 Career Fair was sponsored by AXA Equitable.
		84% of YWLCS graduates from 2004, 2005 and 2006 are still enrolled in college! According to a recent University of Chicago research report, only 6% of Chicago Public School students graduate from college.

Contact information

Director: Margaret H. Small

Deputy Director: Michelle C. Russell

CollegeBound Counselor: Liz Monge

2641 South Calumet
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 949-9400
Fax: (312) 949-9142
URL: http://www.ywlcs.org