Young Womens Preparatory Academy

YWPA is centrally located according to the placement in the district. Magnet Schools are very often placed in urban areas in order to be accessible more evenly to all the students. The schools are set up for STUDENT success. Parental support is encouraged but parental obsession is not. Each child is encouraged and mentored to be their maximum. Regardless of where the setting is, staff is always diligent in supervising the students even before and after dismissal. Procedures are in place to maintain the safety of the campus and the students.Students are not allowed off campus during school hours for safety reasons, as is the policy in many schools. Students are very valued and highly encouraged to be their best.
—Submitted by a parent

In the event anyone thought that that last year's USNWP high school ranking of Young Women's Preparatory Academy (YWPA)was a fluke or not fully deserved please consider the following: YWPA movred up on the national high school ranking to # 25. They did this with an 88% minority student body and 63% of students on free or reduced lunch status. Contrary to the assertion in one post, the rigor and the expectation of student performance are there for a reason.The amount of homework is part of the preparation for the rigor that would be required at any quality university or college. The teachers, administration and students continue to do an amazing job of academic achievement in consideration of all of the metrics applicable to the educational environment in which YWPA exists.
—Submitted by a parent

Applying to YWPA was the best decision that I've made for my daughter five years ago......... as a concerned parent I was looking for a middle school that would help my daughter with the transition of becoming a teenager and knowing that peer peasure and a lot of many other things that comes with that age......I was also worried with the distration of BOYS in school instead of her being focused on school. Looking back, it has been an excellent choice. Knowing that shes become an excellent young lady in school, with grades, leadership and self confidence that will help her succeed. Now as a 10th grader shes focused with school and its able to handle her social life on the weekends. And yes, even boys! An amazing school, with great girls and even better staff!!!
—Submitted by a parent

As far as "RIGOR" 99.99% of all parents would agree YWPA is an awesome learning environment with very high expectations for students and teachers to teach at a level that will prepare each and every young lady to succeed in the college environment. If I may make a suggestion to the .01% parent that always finds time to complain; 1. Withdrawl your daughter from YWPA and see if you can find a better school. 2. Put all your efforts into homeschooling, so the only individual you can find fault with would be yourself. 3. Read the news, get involved with the news and literature available.....Surely, the news reports are not fibbing. Lastly, do not cast your unhappiness with yourself on others. What you project is what you are. You make the best of every situation......pull your child out of the school for a much highly rated academic environment......
—Submitted by a teacher

Academics are not structured to excel.The word "rigor" is misconstrued into homework load.Far from it,academically the school falls short from its promises to parents.If is any consolation the floors are clean,has one security guard who is supercede his job in the absence of teachers to support at dismissal time and above all the location of commerce makes it great to run for a quick lunch.

This school has caring teachers and staff that try their best within the confines of the state standards and (ludicrous) testing demands. The students appear happy and well-mannered. The trust counselors and support staff do an excellent job by providing morale booster & school spirit events. The early school day (7:15 am) is not the best for teenagers, but most seem to adapt eventually. Although the trade off is often not being able to participate in out of school activities that have late afternoon and evening practices. The homework load is reasonable due to the block schedule classes ( 1 hr 50 mins) which allows for quality instruction and in class work time. Improvements can always be made and schools are always adapting and changing to the demands of the student body. I feel the school does a good job for the most part.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been in this school for 4 years (since 6th grade) and I am happier every day. I gave my daughter the option of going to another high school because I believe that she should be the one to decide and she told me that she is a YWPA girl. It has excellent academic standars, caring teachers and a great administration. I want the BEST for my daughter and that is why she is in YWPA, ranked 5th in Florida.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was a student here at YWPA for 4 years and let me say she wasn't happy. They force you into taking classes you dont want to take & call them "electives" but you dont "elect" anything. The academics are rigorous yes, they are also very good yet teachers seem to focus more on a "curriculum" leading to a test that will increase the school's standards. I feel they push them more for the appearance of the school and salary of the teachers then their own benefit really. Helicopter parents fly over the school at all times making demands for their girls. The administration is harsh on some people yet easy on others, depends on who they favor more, who has better grades, or whose parent spends 3 hours a day in the school's office. I feel their greatness is only because they push the kids to their limits to juice good scores out of them, which could be a good thing dont get me wrong, however it feels more like a concentration camp then a school. Highschool years are very important, this is great for 6-8 grade, but do your daughters a kindness and let them leave if they'd like for highschool, they need to grow up and face the real world this school shelters them from.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at YWPA, so take it from my point of view that this is the best place you could ever go. From the moment I walked in everyone has been nothing but kind and extraordinarily helpful. You have so many options and so much freedom. The teachers are amazing. They teach in such a manner that you forget that you are even learning, it is just so much fun. They give you plenty of extra room to lead. Some classes are a little challenging, but all in their own creative way, leaving you to figure out the puzzle. There are plenty of great clubs, as well as extra curriculum. Programs such as the Big Sister/Little Sister program allow you to make yourself known to others and take a break. I must advise, though, you CAN NOT goof around with your grades. Everyone wants to see us accepted into great colleges, work in a great career, and be able to live a successful life. If I could give this school a million stars, I would. I highly recommend this school to any young girl whom takes school seriously and really wants to make an impact and be successful in life. I look forward to the rest of my years developing into the young woman I only dreamed I could be.

I am currently a Senior at YWPA. It was the last place I wanted to be when I came here 7 years ago. For me it was a daily torture. Then I realized it was the perfect place to learn and try your hardest without all the high school drama. I am not the best student, but I am much better as a student and a young women for having come to this school and having grown up in a safe loving place. I am much smarter and ready for my future now I will miss many of my teachers who have guided and pushed me to finally do my best..

My daughter goes to YWPA. IT is an excellent school. 6-8th grade are the most crucial time in a childs life and having no boys to distract them has made them concentrate more on studies. Although i do feel they should have that high school experience of home coming and prom. The school needs to just find ways to incoporate activities with a brother school. And there is no way the girls fall in love with the male teachers maybe the parent. I highly recommend the school for girls going into 6th grade. I
—Submitted by a parent

I have been going to YWPA for three years now and i am in 8th grade. When I first came to this school I just wanted to go because of the Mac books but now that have been in the school it help you to prepare for college. The classes are challenging but they are to help you for your future.The school is very small so you get to know everybody in the school most students and all of the teachers. Before I went to YWPA is was always by myself but now I am always surrounded by people even if I barely hang out with them. I would recommend this school for ladies that want to focus on their education and not boys (none in the school). I hope I stay in this school until i graduate.

Continued...They enforce the uniform way too much and they are super picky about it. Lastly with no boys in the school some girls become desperate and are reduced to liking the teachers (which i find pretty creepy) especially with the school's mistake of having a few young male teachers. The academics are great and they have many resources for learning like the Mac books which at this point i find more of a burden. If your daughter is the type that wants to do something in life send her that to school even if she hates you for it at the beginning but they will later thank you as i did to my mother

Hello! Let me start off by saying that the previous reviews entered are both wonderful and true. I am a proud student at Young Womens Preparatory Academy, this is my second year at the school and I absolutely love it! Everyday is filled with challenging academic experiences and a fun, safe environment. The girls are well rounded, smart, independent, fun-loving and positive about themselves and their school. We're all girls so we understand each other. As a member of numerous clubs and activities, I have had the opportunity to share amazing experiences. YWPA is special in the sense that everyday we strive to become strong women leaders. Every class incorporates the sharpening of leadership skills. In conclusion, I love Young Women's Preparatory Academy, I know that with the help of my teachers and my determination, that my future is headed in the right direction. :)

I think this school is great because it teaches young ladies to be self-dependent and we recently incorporated many sports like rowing, golf and tennis. I think this school has everything; great teachers and wonderful parental support

My daughter just started her 3rd year at YWPA and is in 8th grade. Considering the great financial strain that the school district is experiencing, YWPA remains to uphold their high standards in order to make quality education, safety, and a supportive environment available to middle and high school-aged girls who are interested in taking their education seriously. According to my child, students of YWPA never have to worry about being bullied, or having class time interrupted by disruptive students. Based on my observations, parents in this school seem to be involved and invested in their daughters' educations. The course work is intended to be challenging and I feel confident that my daughter will be more than prepared for college. As someone who works at another public high school, I am thankful and relieved that my daughter has been given the opportunity to attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Ive been at this school since 8th grade and I have seen many changes and additions take place to improve my YWPA. Now that I'm a senior, I can say that I'm very comfortable with the atmosphere, despite some of the nonsense restrictions on unifroms. The classes can be a little difficult, but the teachers are fully dedicated to making sure that EVERYONE passes. The activities and events may not be as big as regular high schools, but at least we can get out of class for a day to enjoy ourselves. I look forward to successfully graduating from here in 2011.

I am a student at Young Women's Preparatory Academy. I am in the 7th Grade and this is my second year here. IT is an excellent choice for your Daughter(s). There is a lot of excellent teachers for incoming or students already attending the school. I am really great full that I am in this school but it doesn't have sports or other different electives but that is because we are a new school and in the incoming school years there will be new stuff added to the school. I am also very happy for those new incoming six graders (especially for my sister) that got excepted to the school. It is a choice you will never regret choosing.
—Submitted by a student

This school has recommended my daughter christelle and is very good.
—Submitted by a parent

I honestly dont like this school and I just started. I think the classes are 2 hard and that most of the girls here are stuck up
—Submitted by a student