YWL Network (YWLN) made history and headlines when it opened the first all-girls public school in 1996. Since then, the schools and programs of the network 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 2001 TYWLS Graduation Ceremony

“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

“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 [TYWLS of 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, Feminist and Political Activist

“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

“In a world of followers, we dare to be leaders.” –Jeanette, TYWLS alumna

“At International Studies’ School, the College Bound program is one of the most valuable assets to our school. Our students and their parents receive the support, guidance and access they need to gain acceptance into the country’s finest colleges and universities, in most cases with full financial aide. College Bound should be in every high school in NYC.” –Fred Walsh, Principal, The School for International Studies

“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 H., TYWLS parent

“CollegeBound has revolutionized college prep at East Side and taken us to a whole new level.  Its impact has been felt in every aspect of the school community.  We have always been extremely proud of our school and our academic program.  Now we have a college prep program that will allow our students to full capitalize on the great work that our students do here.  Our students need and deserve access and CollegeBound makes sure they get it.” –Mark Federman, Principal, East Side Community High School

“The Young Women’s Leadership School opens many doors for the young women who attend. Every single girl is treated the same way and is always given a fair chance. Every girl here success because of all of the wonderful teachers that educate us and help us every step of the way. We are not failures because we always strive for our best.” –Diana A., TYWLS Queens 7th grade

“The presence of a CBI counselor has helped to expand and solidify our college access program. Seeing how much work went into setting up the college office and how much expertise is required to do a really thorough job has made me so grateful that we were able to forge this partnership with CBI and benefit from the incredible generosity of the Robin Hood Foundation. Without this dedicated person and program in our school building, I do not believe we would have been able to reach out to so many individual students and have such a high percentage of our senior students poised to exit high school and begin a college bound life.” –Carolyn Yaffe, Principal, Academy for Young Writers

“Having my CollegeBound counselor is a blessing that I am truly thankful for.  He is the most exceptional person in my life who is truly dedicated to my success as a student.” –Armand H., Juan Morel Campos School, Class of 2008 now attending University of Rochester

“Since there are no boys focusing on my work has become easier. The girls have the same problems I have and we are able to talk about the, the teachers here are all nice and so is the principal. Next year I will achieve my goals which this school has helped me with.” – Shanelle M., TYWLS of Queens 7th grader

“I am a student enrolled at NYU. This was a feat that I never expected to reach but it was with the help of my CollegeBound counselor, that I had been able to achieve such merits. She has had a huge impact on my life as well as on my family.”  –Juliana L., East Side Community High School, Class of 2008  

“Without the CollegeBound Initiative Program I would be lost in the world of college. This program has guided me through my senior year of high school. The feeling of being clueless is gone and now I am ready to take on the next step thanks to the CollegeBound Initiative Program.” –Jared B., Williamsburg Preparatory School, Class of 2010

“CollegeBound is a door of opportunity for young people to use as a tool for guidance and growth that has a powerful direct and indirect impact on people’s lives.” –Wayne C., Class of 2008 now attending Gettysburg College

“Without The Young Women’s Leadership School, my daughter and many other young women would not have been able to attain the academic success and dreams they have met.” –Esperanza, TYWLS parent

“If you see CollegeBound students on the campus of Gettysburg College, or any others, you’ll notice that they truly are the leaders of the pack.” –Darryl Jones, Associate Admissions Director at Gettysburg College

“I like teaching at TYWLS because I like the sense of community here. The students and staff are all very positive and enjoy helping each other out.” –Scott Melcher, TYWLS of Astoria teacher.

“If we were to model a program, a nationwide program, such as this [CollegeBound], I think we would make enormous gains in increasing the attendance of disadvantaged inner city students at our nations colleges and universities; allowing more students who have the potential to realize that potential and take a program that places full time college counselors in as many inner city public disadvantaged schools as funding and support will allow.” –Doris Davis, Associate Provost for Admissions and Enrollment at Cornell University