Young Women's Leadership Academy

I am a student at the YWLA. This is my first year (6th grade) and yes.. I have to admit it is stressful, but if you're a good student and you try.. you will be successful. We are girls today.. but successful women tomorrow. I also have to admit that I first I didn't want to go there.. my parents forced me.. but now.. I don't regret it. There is awesome classmates.. awesome classes... and of course awesome teachers/staff and I am very proud to be a student at the YWLA. c:

This is an outstanding school, this is my daughter's third year attending and she has no intention of leaving. It is a small school as of today 333 students enrolled with 100 joining every year (6th graders). Just click on the test scores tab above this posting read them and then read the negative posting with a grain of salt. I have read some of the negative reviews and to be quite honest, I am pretty sure most of them are from girls (.05%) that couldn't handle the work load, were caught plagiarizing, stealing or some other type of serious offense. 99.5% of the young ladies that have stayed are focused and driven by the challenges they face. The challenges that I am referring to are , competition. They are so competitive with each other that they are driven to one up their fellow classmates. In HS it's so competitive that the GPA's are tenth's of a decimal point apart. ( May have to do a coin flip to determine the class valedictorian} If you want your child prepared for college and a successful academic life, then you owe to your daughter to apply for this school (citywide enrollment eligible)
—Submitted by a parent

This school causes too much stress. College students getting a PhD don't even have half of the stress that YWLA students do, and they are ADULTS. This school is a night mare and about 90 % of the student body will agree that they hate this school and only stay because they are being forced to, but would leave in a heart beat. Horrible and ridiculous. Also the uniforms/rules are ridiculous, you have no self expression and you get in trouble for every little thing. Do yourself a favor and don't even consider this school.

I am a student at YWLA and more likely the only one that stayed at the school and now is writing a review. I'm going to be a 9th grader this year and i started the school at 6th grade. I personally LOVE this school. Yes there is tons of work you have to do, however it pays off cause I got a really high score on the STARR test, gets you ready for college, and the SAT test that this school provides every year for every grade level to get an experience for college(FOR FREE). The teachers at the school give every individual student the help they need until they understand the material. This once happened to me when i didn't get the best grade in science. My teacher broke down the material so that it would be very clear for me. Now that i am going to High school, I already have 4 High school credits and I got a scholarship. This is JUST from my middle school year. Who knows what will I will get in High school. I would truly recommend this school in order to be amazing in the future!

Strong principal; excellent communication; wonderful teachers; impressive resources and connections; highest academic standards - absolutely satisfied
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has really done well at this school. The teacher are dedicated and they never stop. They work so hard and have such faith in our girls. The partnership with the UT Health Science Center has added a new dimension to the girls experience in science and medicine. I am so glad my daughter goes to this school and I expect her to get into any college she wants not only due to her own determination, but also the help of the teachers and staff at YWLA.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want your daughter to get a good education this is the schoo for her. If she lazy or a procastinator send her elsewhere. This a college prep school. The teachers will treat her as if she was college student. They will not be asking for homework each girl is responsible for turning it in on time. No excuses.are consideres valid. The school competes in basketball,volleyball and track. We have awesome dandce,choir and art dept. Facult and staff are here to tutor afterschool and on weekends. The high school girls also tutor. This is a requirement to graduate. Excellent school but as a parent you need to support your daughter and encourage her to succed or they will fail.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that this school is AMAZING! All the courses are challenging but yet fun! The teachers and staff, are very helpful, and are there when ever you need them. I'm learning information that not any other middle schools learn. Only The Strong Survive Here!

I agree the uniforms are not very stylish or very hip'' but these uniforms give the girls a purpose it makes them stand out ALOT! like in field trips there other schools with the same uniform than BAM! the YWLA girls are wearing these unique and professional looking uniforms. The first time i ever saw my daughter wearing that uniform i literally started crying because she looked all grown up its just a very heartwarming feeling that stays with you for the rest of your days.
—Submitted by a parent

Students in 8th grade as of 2011-12: this school causes too much stress and teacher say inapproprite language (bad words) in students faces and tear up their homework if not in profection. The teachers do not teach material right, just spend 30 minutes on is and move on. From our experience we would not recommend this school for your daughters. The rules also have a big affect they split us to us certian restrooms, stairways, and have lunch on a certian time. Sorry but just please do not come to this school

I do admit that this school is very advanced and truly prepares you for college but if you do plan to come here you can just rule out any type of any personal/self expression. The uniform rules are outrageous and overall ridiculous. On Mondays students are required to wear full dress, if a girl happens to wear the wrong socks she is given detention or iss ( in school suspension). If you forget to wear a tie you can get a demerit. No colored pony tail holders, no colorful hair accessories. You can not wear any kind of sweater or jacket in school without the school logo. Some of the teachers do not have a consistent grading scale and clearly favor students and grade students based on their feelings toward them. I have witnessed it personally. This school has the potential to be a great school but does not offer specific courses high school students would need in order to succeed. They are not evolved enough. They do not offer enough high school courses. But i do admit some of the teachers are amazing and they do reward students with movie days, carnival days, and most recently a concert. Some teachers you will be devastated to loose, some you cant wait to get rid of.

I would have to give this school a 1 for both the high school and middle school department. This school is putting too much stress on CHILDREN. I am in the high school department and we have sixth graders planning on transferring out because of the amount of stress that is put on them. One of the older students transferred out earlier this year because the stress was making her very very sick. This is a college preparatory school, but the classes are burdensome and in some cases, too advanced. The sophomores take 2 to 3 Advance Placement courses, next year maybe 4 or 5. This is something that is unbearable for those who are not equipped for it. The life of a middle schooler at YWLA is more like the life of a college student rather than the life of a twelve year old. The school needs to have some consideration for their students and the stress that the school is inducing in their students' lives, not even including the stress from their lives outside of school. The extracurriculars are very limited and provide little to no exposure to things like ROTC and foreign languages other than Spanish. This is not a school I would recommend for your daughters at all.
—Submitted by a parent

LET ME SAY I LOVE THIS SCHOOL AS A STUDENT, BUT SIMPLY I MISS THE FUNNINESS AND FRIENDSHIP OF THE BOYS AND THE GIRLS HERE ARE TOO MEAN......NOT JUST ACADEMICS THAT YOU LEARN IN SCHOOL, BUT ALSO LIFE LESSONS, FRIENDSHIP SKILLS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND FINALLY WORKING TOGETHER SKILLS.....THIS SCHOOL NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY YOUR SCHOOL LIFE IS IMPORTANT.

My daughter has done wonderfully at this school. She is able to focus on her academics and not have to worry about the distractions that a coed campus has. She has always done well academically but she has improved to the point where she has received high commended results on her TAKS scores. You know from the beginning when you enroll that this campus is focused on academics and college preparatory skills. Our campus has received exemplary campus status every year since we have been reviewed. I think that says it all!
—Submitted by a parent

YWLA is honestly not that special anymore. My son went to a "regular" middle school and he learned more than my daughter is learning now! As soon as she is done with here 8th grade year I am pulling her out and enrolling her in another school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a very great school for middle school students but the high school program is unprepared for the students who have more knowledge than they can hold. The high schoolers are getting fed up with this system and no one will satisfy their needs to learn college level classes. The high school teachers are unprepared adn do not give the right help in class we need. I recommend that if you are going to middle school and want to come here, come and don't hold yourself back. But if you are going into high school, DO NOT come here because I have a very strong feeling the district will close the high school portion down.

THIS SCHOOL REALLY DOES NOT KEEP PROMISES TO THE STUDENTS THEY SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE ALL THESE TYPES OF CLASSES AND WHERE ARE THEY?? THERE IS ALSO NO SPORTS BUT BASKETBALL? REALLLY? THEY DIDNT SAY THAT WHEN I SIGNED UP. TAKE MY ADVICE DONT EVEN TAKE THIS SCHOOL INTO CONSIDERATION!

This school is not really what it claims to be the SOME teachers are really good but majority of them have no teaching skills and this is for the 9th grade they need new teachers and i have filed complaints but nothing has been done. This school is building itself up and not alot of support is provided but maybe when it gets to 12th grade it may be good but other than that the school is failing and i am afraid of the TAKS test i mean c'mon! I am glad that i am moving schools. I would actually not give this school a star I am very dissapointed on how things have changed. TERRIBLE!

I love my school. But I feel as I am not challenged that much anymore. I love not being focused on TAKS but I still want to learn every single day, and lately I have to say that hasnt been happening. :(
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at the YWLA. I wounldn't recommend any other school. Of course, if the all-female enviorment is not for your daughter, then I wouldn't recommend.
—Submitted by a student