Young Women’s Leadership Schools

Drawing on the successful practices of The Young Women’s Leadership Schools and current research in girls’+ education, the Young Women’s Leadership model comprises two components: the four pillars of girls’+ education programming and the WholeGirl+ Education framework for classroom instruction and school culture.

Today, our Young Women’s Leadership model is foundational in shaping the educational approach of 25 schools nationwide, including The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) in NYC, our Young Women’s Leadership affiliate schools nationwide, and our partner network, The Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN) in Texas.

Six women stand in a line, dressed in formal or semi-formal attire, in front of a wall with the word APOLLO in large letters.

The WholeGirl+ Education Framework

The WholeGirl+ Education framework comprises eleven effective practices that are integral to The Young Women’s Leadership Schools’ instructional approach and inform school design, programming, policy, and culture. Paramount among these practices are the engagement and encouragement of student voice, as well as the nurture and support of students’ sense of connection to one another, their teachers, the curriculum, and the broader school community.

These practices can be applied in any classroom and across all content areas. As school design principles, they can guide a wide range of programming and policy decisions throughout the school, and support student development of six key competencies:

  • Leadership
  • Self-advocacy
  • Identity
  • Self-regard
  • Academic preparedness
  • Growth mindset
A student smiles holding a #LEADER sign in front of a list of educational values, framed by text about gender consciousness, connection, voice, and the Young Women’s Leadership Model for culturally relevant teaching.

93%

Historic college enrollment rate at The Young Women’s Leadership Schools.

2X

Our alumnae earn STEM degrees at nearly twice the rate of women nationwide.

Student Leadership Network offers a range of professional learning opportunities for those interested in learning more about the Young Women’s Leadership model and implementation of the WholeGirl+ Educational framework in your classroom, school, or district.

Five girls and one woman stand together indoors, smiling at the camera.

The Latest

  • Two adults and two students sit in a circle having a discussion about early career exploration, in front of a large projected screen that reads “Let’s Practice!”

    180 Volunteers, Endless Possibilities: How Real Career Stories Expand Student Aspirations

  • A speaker presents a slide about youth leadership programs to a group of attendees seated at tables in a conference room at Sony.

    Sony Opens Doors for the Next Generation of Women in Music and Movie Production

  • Blue Ribbon graphic with April Blount Blue Ribbon Awards in the center of the ribbon, plus six teachers' photos set inside individual frames on the right

    Teaching That Transforms: Meet the 2025-2026 April Blount Blue Ribbon Award Recipients

Join Us in Driving Gender Equity!

Want to learn more about our Whole Girl Education framework and help us bring academically rigorous programs fused with strong social-emotional support to girls+ across the country?