A Message from InsideSchools: The data below is the most up-to-date data available from City and State systems. We are working hard to update the narratives for all schools. We welcome your insights in the Comments section. Questions? Ask us!

Our Insights

What’s Special

All-girls school with strong college support

The Downside

Friction between teachers and the administration

The Young Women's Leadership School in Astoria is a safe school where an ethnically diverse group of girls come together to develop the academic skills and confidence necessary for college. The school boasts excellent attendance rates and students do well in all subject areas. Most graduate on time, ready to do college-level work.

The girls wear neat navy uniforms and a sweater with the school crest. Students speak more than 60 home languages, and their families come from Tibet, Morocco, Russia, Afghanistan, and a number of Latin American nations. Many students are the first in their families to attend college.

Modeled on the original school of the same name in East Harlem, The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) in Astoria is one of five all-female schools in TYWLS network. 

The school requires students to perform 50 hours of community service.  Small advisory groups focused on female adolescent development and positive self-image. Teachers assign projects that give girls an opportunity to work together. 

Principal Allison Persad took the helm in 2015. The child of immigrants, she grew up in Queens Village attending Hillcrest High School, and later Queens College and St. John’s University for her doctorate. She worked as an English teacher for 10 years before moving into administration according to an interview in DNAinfo. Under her leadership the school has added a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) lab, where the girls study coding and how to create computer applications.

School surveys show there is friction between Persad and her teachers, however. Fewer than one-fifth of the teachers report she is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly. Trust between teachers and the administration is also poor.

Fortunately, the school is well above average in almost every other area, from academic achievement to safety, order and discipline. Parents report they feel welcome. The Quality Review states the school sets high expectations for students. The school has a full-time college counselor and children begin thinking about and visiting colleges as early as 6th grade.

The school is housed in a former Roman Catholic school with wood floors, and cubbies and hooks for coats. Classrooms are spacious. An old-fashioned combination gym and auditorium (called a "gymatorium") is located across the street.

Sports include archery, basketball, rugby, soccer and track and field. The school is partnered with PowerPlay, an all-female sports organization with all-female coaches.

The Young Women's Leadership Foundation helps support many activities, including dance, digital photography and other arts. Nearly all girls participate.
(Lydie Raschka, DOE data and web reports, September 2018)

 

 

Get more from InsideSchools

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?
39%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
50%
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?
76%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
7.1

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?
50%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
71%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
99%
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
569
Asian
25%
Black
8%
Hispanic
45%
White
18%
Other
4%
Free or reduced priced lunch
77%
Students with disabilities
18%
English language learners
8%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
90%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
33%
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?
91%
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, Astoria (Q56A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Our school includes advisory, rigorous STEM, AP offerings, humanities, and arts (drama, theater, technology, digital media, film, robotics, and computer programming). We also provide afterschool enrichment including sports, tutoring, and dance. The College Bound Initiative (CBI) provides a full-time CBI college counselor who guides each student through the college application process through visits and trips.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science A, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Studio Art - 2D, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Bowling, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Table Tennis, Volleyball

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

23-15 Newtown Avenue
Queens NY 11102

Trains: N Line, Q Line to 30 Av-Grand Av

Buses: M60-SBS, Q100, Q102, Q103, Q18, Q19, Q69


Contact

Principal: Allison Persad

Parent Coordinator: Barbara Coogan

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

Was this information helpful?

Get more from InsideSchools

Comments

  • Is this your school? Please post any news, updates, events, changes, or other information!
  • We welcome questions, open discussions, and disagreements but comments with personal attacks, rude language, or those with seemingly malicious intent will be deleted.
  • Very long comments, those that contain links, or repeat comments may be blocked by our spam filter.
  • Problems? email us at contact@insideschools.org.
  • Users must comply with our Terms of Use.

×