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Young Women's Leadership School of Brooklyn (TYWLS)

Grades: 6-12
Noteworthy

Our Insights

What’s Special

All-girls college prep school

The Downside

Limited sports

The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Brooklyn is one of New York City’s few single-gender public schools. Serving grades 6-12, the school aims to help young women become strong and caring leaders who believe in themselves. Girls from a range of personal identities and perspectives, including those from traditional religious homes and those who identify as lesbian or transgender, learn together. The school’s graduation rate outpaces the citywide average; many students tackle college level coursework in math and science by their senior year. Students go on to graduate from college at a rate three times their peers citywide.

Academics & Instruction: Teachers work to build a strong academic foundation over all seven years instead of rushing lessons before students may be ready. The school does not offer most high school-level (Regents) classes in middle school like some schools do, except for a math course in 8th grade. All students are required to take four years of math and science in high school.

Lessons may take the form of lectures, group work, or game-based activities. For example, 11th graders have used their knowledge of the U.S. Revolution to play a game about the famous battles. Students may act out roles—a king, a member of parliament, a tax collector—in Colonial America.

Students receive up to three years of Spanish language and literature classes. In the 11th and 12th grades, students have opportunities to take career preparation, Advanced Placement, and college-level classes. 

Music, dance and travel are a special focus here. Students learn to play guitar in 7th grade and take classes taught by Alvin Ailey teaching artists. They may participate in the dance ensemble and the school band. Roughly a dozen students take international trips to destinations such as Japan, China, Italy, France or London—an option not available to all because of cost. Field trips closer to home are open to everyone, for example, a trip to the New York Aquarium. Due to the small size team sports are limited.

After school programs include tutoring, homework help, test prep, STEM and more.

Culture & Environment: The school is tiny with fewer than 300 students. All girls receive academic, social and emotional support. Each one attends small group advisory classes to discuss their achievements, setbacks, values, feelings and needs.

Students are encouraged to celebrate their differences and share their backgrounds and cultures. The school has a Black and Latinx student union, a gender and sexuality alliance, a Muslim student association, and a youth restorative justice club for working out conflicts through discussion and accountability. A school psychologist offers workshops on topics such as improving family communication, social media safety and sex education.

Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): Students learning English attend separate classes where they work on reading, writing and speaking skills. Their teacher visits them as needed in math, reading, science and other classes to provide further support. Students with Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) study in classrooms with a second teacher.

Building & Facilities & Commute: The school occupies the third and the fourth floors of a building shared with PS 147. Teachers greet the girls as they arrive and keep an eye out for their safety.

College & Career:  The school has a full-time college counselor who assists students with registering and preparing for the PSAT and SAT exams, college selection, essay writing, recommendation letters, resumes, college trips, and financial aid planning. (Lydie Raschka, interview and web reports, August 2023)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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?
48%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
78%
78% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
2%
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?
67%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
6.1

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?
35%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
47%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
8%
60% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
97%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
270
Asian
7%
Black
44%
Hispanic
41%
White
5%
Other
3%
Free or reduced priced lunch
86%
Students with disabilities
24%
English language learners
9%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
79%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
71%
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?
94%
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?
0%
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 of Brooklyn (L66A)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

TYWLS offers an academically rigorous college prep program to all of our students.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Girls PSAL teams

Outdoor Track

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

325 Bushwick Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11206

Trains: J Line, M Line to Flushing Av; L Line to Montrose Av

Buses: B15, B43, B46, B47, B48, B57, B60, Q54, Q59


Contact

Principal: Catherine Mitchell

Parent Coordinator: Erica Ramos

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with PS 147

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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