The Young Women's Leadership School at Rhodes (Philadelphia)
http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/r/rhodes
The Young Women’s Leadership 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 Foundation 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. Teachers receive extra professional development from Victory Schools, Inc. TYWLS, Rhodes emphasizes a teaching strategy called Direct Instruction. Each day their students receive one-hour of direct instruction in reading and one hour in math. This strategy has proven effective for TYWLS students.
YWL Foundation has funded a full-time CollegeBound 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 Foundation also facilitates teacher and student exchanges and sharing of best practices among the YWL Network schools.
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Grade Levels : 7-12 |
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Enrollment: 700 |
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Attendance: above 90% |
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Demographics: 98% African American; 1% Latina, 1% Asian or other. |
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99% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. |
Results:
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The school graduated its first class of seniors – 97% of students graduated and 95% are enrolled in college or post-secondary education. |
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The school passed all 13 levels of the national AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) Test in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act.
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Reading test scores have improved 33% in all grade levels, 8th grade math scores have nearly doubled and the violence has significantly decreased.
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TYWLS at Rhodes has established partnerships with Drexel University, 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. |
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Girls from TYWLS, Philadelphia visited colleges around the state, and participated in community service projects with the Ronald McDonald House and City Year. |
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Career Day 2007 brought over 50 diverse role models to the school from the corporate and local business community. Volunteers also brought desperately needed books to fill the library shelves as donations – thank you! |
Contact information
Principal, Young Women’s Leadership Academy: 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
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