Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

It's good for middle school, but terrible for high school. High school should be a time for students to grow academically and mentally. If I've learned one thing from this school, it is that you MUST go to college or you will die. One of the administrators specifically told us we should cancel any activities we have with friends over the weekend to study instead. We get loads of homework and honestly the level is not very good. Everybody must take all pre-ap classes and the teachers are not that great. If you are not good at a certain subject, there is no reason as to why you should be forced to take a pre-ap class. Our electives are really depressing; our theater doesn't ever perform, we lose all our band and orchestra contests and our only other electives are art and choir. We have amazing athletes who are not able to become the stars they could be because they have way too much homework, school work and stress put upon them. Our cross-country coach had to fight in order to simply let us where our cross country t-shirt when we got back from our meet. To be honest, I don't know a single high schooler who actually enjoys this school. Also, half the grade is failing.

I have nothing against this school I really don't, but there are many other schools that are much better than this one. Personally the administration can be very rude to staff and students. I don't think that I would have lasted another year there. It is a very fortunate school to go to, but when teachers are always trying to be friendly it does get overwhelming; they stress the idea of family way too much.

An all girls school with many great classes and teachers.

I have been going to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders since it's opening. Every year teachers are picked out of hundreds of applicants per position, ensuring we get the cream of the crop. It's obvious that we will have to work hard to maintain our grades but teacher have always been willing to tutor me anytime I need them. The school cannot get a review that glows bright enough for it. You could not ask for a better school for your daughter.

I went to ARS for my 7th and 8th grade year and found it was not a very good school at all, at least not for me. The whole thing is too focused around college, and it suffocated me. I already knew I wanted to go to college, but they just kept shoving it fown my throat. It would be a good school for girls who aren't really sure about their future. But for me, I was bored half of the time, and found the environment to be oppressive. There were no room for mistakes. For instance, if I forgot my lanyard (part of the uniform), I had to go to lunch detention. If I forgot to go to that, I had to go to MSSH (Mandatory Silent Study Hall). Also, the staff tried too hard to display the diversity.

I go to this school and I can honestly say this is the best school I have ever gone to. Yeah we have a lot of work to do, but this is preparing us for college. And I know that when I am part of the fist class that graduates and leaves this school in 2013, I will be prepared to go to a great college and be thankful that I applied to this school in 2006.
--Submitted by a student

Love it there the teachers and staff are always ready to help us reach our goal. We do many different things other schools don't like, 'fun fest'.
--Submitted by a student

The mission of the Ann Richards School is to prepare young women for college, lead in a global community and live in a healthy manner. The girls display a variety of backgrounds and interests. Those interests are supported by the community.

The principal, teachers and staff are the most devoted group of educators I have ever known. The students are enthusiastic, focused and hardworking. They are excelling academically and learning how to be a good citizen and future leader for their communities. ARS is cultivating and encouraging future members of our society to make a positive difference in the world. It doesn't get any better than that!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

If you have the opportunity to send your daughter here...do it! It's the best thing that could have happened for my daughters education. The teachers are wonderful and I can't say enough good things about this school She's truly learning everyday, and loving it!
--Submitted by a parent