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Young Women's Leadership School, Queens (TYWLS)

Grades: 6-12
Staff Pick for Special Ed Noteworthy

Our Insights

What’s Special

A supportive environment and high academic standards

The Downside

Small gym and no outside space

One of a network of small, all-girls public schools, the Young Women’s Leadership School, Queens is a welcoming place that emphasizes academics and college-readiness and also works to help girls develop emotionally and socially.

School corridors are lined with encouraging quotes and messages cheering the girls on and recognizing their achievements. Students are friendly and polite.

Virtually 100 percent of students graduate on time and are accepted to college, with an average financial aid package of $20,000, according to Principal Mala Panday. Many will be the first in their families to attend college. 

“We talk to girls as if [college] is not a choice. It’s what you do here,” the college counselor, Jessica Kane, said. She begins working closely with girls in March of their junior year but students start visiting colleges in 6th grade.

TYWLS Queens admits students based on test scores and report cards but there is a big range of academic abilities. Teachers try to address this in various ways, asking girls to help one another, or offering three versions of a similar assignment. Still, some students think they’re not getting enough help, according to a Department of Education school survey.

For their part, many teachers indicated on the survey they would like to see better training programs and more collaboration. 

Classes are fairly traditional, usually starting with a lesson delivered by a teacher at the front of the room. Students then work individually or in pairs on an assignment coming out of the lesson. The Quality Review said students would benefit from more class discussion.

Science and technology are a strength, with well-equipped science labs and a high school technology elective where girls design, write and code their own video games. In a 9th grade science, girls designed and built balloon popping contraptions incorporating simple machines,

As of the 2017-2018 school year, all high school students are required to major in one of four areas—arts, business and government, education and STEM—or create a major of their own. Students take specific courses and do community service work related to their fields.

Panday said the majors should make it easier for students to decide what to concentrate on in college. “It’s giving them an earlier experience at thinking what strengths they bring to the world,” she said.

She hopes the majors will also boost the college readiness rate among the Queens school graduates. Although that rate is about average for the city, it lags behind the school’s other statistics. To address that, students at the school who pass the Regents exams but do not score well enough to be considered college ready will get additional help and take the test a second, or even third time. A business algebra class is targeted at preparing the girls for college work.

Beginning in 2018, all 8th graders will take the algebra Regents exam. Some also take the Earth Science Regents. 

The small school has three full-time counselors. They are there, Panday says, so that all students—many of whom come from single-parent homes and may be juggling work and school—know there is an adult at school to whom they can talk. 

One senior described the school as “beautiful, a sisterhood.” Another said, “Since it’s a female school, we’re getting to have more of a voice.” But, even without boys there is still emotional drama, two 10th graders said–in fact, they agreed, there may be even more than at a co-ed school. 

Being part of the Young Women’s Leadership Network allows TYWLS Queens to offer more opportunities than usual for a school of its size, including grants for teachers, internships for students, trips and an array of clubs.

About half of the middle school students stay for high school. Those who leave often want a co-ed school or one with more sports. TWYLS Queens has a small gym and no outside space, forcing its champion track team to practice by running through the halls and up and down the stairs.

(Gail Robinson, November 2017)

 

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average
Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
85%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
50%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
83%
78% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
2% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
82%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
9.2

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
39%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
61%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
91%
60% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
99%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
548
Asian
41%
Black
31%
Hispanic
18%
White
3%
Other
7%
Free or reduced priced lunch
74%
Students with disabilities
16%
English language learners
5%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
89%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
41%
45% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
100%
85% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
7%
7% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

The Young Women's Leadership School, Queens (Q89A)

Admissions Method: Screened

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

French, Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Studio Art - 2D, AP United States History, Biology (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Econ/Gov (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Science (College Course [Credited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

150-91 87 Road
Queens NY 11432

Trains: E Line, J Line, Z Line to Parsons Blvd-Archer Av - Jamaica Center; F Line to Parsons Blvd

Buses: Q1, Q110, Q111, Q112, Q113, Q114, Q17, Q2, Q20A, Q20B, Q24, Q25, Q3, Q30, Q31, Q34, Q36, Q4, Q40, Q41, Q42, Q43, Q44-SBS, Q5, Q54, Q56, Q6, Q65, Q76, Q77, Q8, Q83, Q84, Q85, Q9, X68


Contact

Principal: Mala Panday

Parent Coordinator: Nicole Jean Remy

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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