Our young

women

prove all

students

can excel

if given

the right

opportunity.

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LYNN MCBEE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Welcome to our next chapter – Foundation for the Education of Young Women is now Young Women’s Preparatory Network!

Our exciting name change was the result of identifying the need to better reflect our mission, dedication and the support we give to our network of schools. Along with our name change, we have a fresh brand – complete with a new logo and website.

Throughout the past 10 years, our schools have educated, inspired, and nurtured more than 4,500 young women across the state of Texas. In 2014, 100% of our seniors were admitted to 4-year colleges, and our 146 graduates earned $15.8 million in merit based scholarships and awards. Our schools are consistently represented on prestigious lists including the U.S. News Best Schools, the Washington Post Most Challenging High Schools, and Children at Risk.

Any school would be proud to boast of such accomplishments, but these results are especially impressive because 70% of our girls come from economically disadvantaged homes and 82% of our students are of African American and Hispanic backgrounds. In addition, 73% of the class of 2015 will be first generations college graduates.

One key factor in the success of our schools is the phenomenal leadership by our principals. They fully believe in the mission of Young Women’s Preparatory Network and the power of our partnerships. With them, we ensure our campuses have a foundation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum and a focus on our core values: responsible leadership, college readiness, and wellness life skills. Our school district partnerships and the funds we provide empower our principals to create a variety of innovative and impressive programming.

I was excited to join the Young Women’s Prep team exactly one year ago because I was aware of the phenomenal work being accomplished. After traveling the state visiting each of our campuses, seeing our work first hand, and meeting the young women we serve, I feel all the more humbled and privileged to lead such an outstanding organization. These young women are the inspiration that drives me daily to work as hard as I possibly can!

In 2015, I hope you take the opportunity to visit one of our schools and witness our achievements in action. I am so proud of the life changing impact of our work and eager to continue reaching for even greater heights in this next chapter.

“After traveling the state visiting each of our campuses, seeing our work first hand,

and meeting the young women we serve, I feel all the more humbled and privileged to lead such an outstanding

organization.”

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OUR SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC AND PROUD Young Women’s Prep forms partnerships with school districts to open 6th -12th grade all-girls public schools. Through these partnerships, we leverage public dollars by providing each network school with seed funds for enhancements including summer learning experiences, after school enrichment activities, professional development opportunities, and College Bound programming. We establish advisory councils at each school to develop local fundraising support for program enhancements on an ongoing basis.

These are examples of the success of our network schools.

Ann Richards School for Young Women LeadersAustin

Ann Richards School was one of five selected from across the nation to present at the 2014 Project Lead the Way (PLTW) National Summit. Our sophomores worked on their Cornerstone Project, where students transformed a gutted 1977 Airstream into a teacher’s lounge—complete with a refrigerator, coffee station, microwave, solar charging stations, a small printer, and even Wi-Fi. In addition, the team showed they’re prepared for the global economy by using 75% “green” materials and solar panels.

Talkington School for Young Women LeadersLubbock

The Talkington Academic Decathlon (AcDec) team ranked 4th in the state finals in our first year of competition. To earn this distinction, the team competed locally, regionally, and finally, at the state level. AcDec is a ten-event scholastic competition for teams of A, B, and C high school students. In addition to winning 9 medals, our students accumulated $24,572 in scholarship money. These scholarships will accrue for every year of competition until graduation.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy at ArnoldGrand Prairie

YWLA at Arnold partnered with the Grand Prairie Police Department who hosted a “Crime Scene Investigation”. During a week of investigation, teams of students lifted fingerprints, took photographs, collected evidence and logged crime scene measurements, understanding ways science is used in real world situations. At the end of the project, each team presented their completed investigation proving their conclusion and clearing the crime scene.

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Young Women’s College Preparatory AcademyHouston

Students in the YWCPA’s Petroleum Academy participated in the 2014 Shell STEM Showdown. Participants worked throughout the day on hands-on projects using the technological applications of their math and science coursework. Our students were coached by a team of Rice University Students and built the first place winning geodesic dome out of plastic straws and masking tape. They were also awarded the Showdown’s top prize, a $5,000 STEM Club grant for the school.

Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership AcademyDallas

The Irma Rangel high school debate teams made a great showing at one of the biggest tournaments in league history. The students earned 1st place Novice team category and 2nd place Junior Varsity team category. The middle school placed in both The Beginners and The Advanced divisions throughout the season. The strength of the teams and the great speaking ability of our students can be seen by the trophies, plaques and medals prominently displayed in the school office.

Young Women’sLeadership AcademyFort Worth

YWLA students in the Digital Media pathway showcased their work in the international Lone Star Film Festival (LSFF).  LSFF seeks to discover and showcase emerging films, talent and distribution trends that will shape the film industry’s future. The students’ films were presented alongside multiple award-winning films shown on the big screen during the 5-day event. These short films are written, directed and produced by the students under the guidance of “All in Film” instructors.

Young Women’sLeadership AcademySan Antonio

YWLA students consistently participate in the Duke TIP Academy for Summer Studies. Duke TIP identifies the top 5% of academically talented students in the seventh grade to participate. This superb academic opportunity promotes higher-level thinking and introduces our students to residential college living. During the three week experience, our students studied a variety of subjects, Physics and Engineering, Psychology, and Leading Strategically in the 21st century.

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STARTING OUR NEXT CHAPTER WITH A NEW LOOK

The Young Women’s Preparatory Network is excited about our growth from the establishment of our original school in Dallas to now include seven schools throughout Texas. In 2014, the Board of Directors and staff conducted a brand analysis that subsequently resulted in the adoption of a new name and look to reflect the network we support.

We hosted a festive celebration to announce our new name and look to our partners and supporters. Immediately following, we hosted our first Annual Leadership Retreat, which brought together our leaders from across the state for two days of inspiration, education, and idea sharing.

We are excited about this next chapter of our organization and eager to support our students as they reach for even greater success.

“The public school single-gender option was very important because

my family could not afford a private all-

girl’s school. The small environment at the

school enabled me to find my voice.”

Natalie, McDaniel College, Class of 2015

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“Sometimes, we had really hard classes. We

didn’t think anyone would pass, but we

made it through. Those experiences taught me

to stick it out.”Keni, University of Southern California,

Class of 2015ACADEMIC RIGOR LEADS TO COLLEGE READINESS

Challenging curriculum contributes to our students’ success. Our schools offer specialized pathways to provide a deep understanding of a particular subject area. Examples of existing pathways include: Biomedical Science, Engineering, Business and Fashion Marketing, Media Technology, and Arts and Humanities.

Young Women’s Prep schools also embrace project based learning. Many of our campuses have Senior Capstone Projects, which empower our students to integrate the knowledge and skills gained during high school through the development of a solution to a real world problem.

All of our schools offer a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) Courses. In 2013, our high school students completed more than 1,200 AP exams.

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GROWING THE WHOLE GIRL

Academics are important, but they do not tell the whole Young Women’s Prep success story. We prepare our young women to be informed and responsible leaders who live healthy lifestyles and make significant contributions to their local communities.

Responsible Leadership

Our schools do more than just teach leadership skills, they set the expectation that each student will serve as a leader. As a result, our students consistently step up to the challenge by establishing big sister programs for incoming students and organizing new campus clubs and activities.

Health and Wellness

It is important that our young women learn to care for their bodies and their health, especially in preparation for the transition to college and adulthood. Our network schools offer student wellness activities, including health fairs, chef led healthy eating seminars, and CPR training. Our schools encourage fitness by offering a variety of sports and activities, such as volleyball, basketball, yoga, and lacrosse.

Community Service

Community service is a prominent part of campus life at Young Women’s Prep schools. Each student learns from an early age that service is one of the many ways she can use her own life to help others. All of our schools require students to complete a significant number of service hours before graduation.

“We were expected to go to college. It is so much easier to be successful if you know from a young age you are expected to

succeed.”Emily, University of Oklahoma, Class of 2015

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“My decision to go to college makes

higher education more attainable for my

relatives. I am already helping my younger

cousins to start thinking about going to college.”

Claudia, University of Texas at Arlington,Class of 2014

TOGETHER, WE ARE RAISING THE BAR

Our school district partnerships ensure each network school employs a full-time College Bound Advisor (CBA). Our CBAs’ comprehensive approach to college advising opens our students up to countless postsecondary opportunities. CBAs provide individualized counseling with an emphasis on match and fit, financial aid assistance, college visits, and parent education.

Our young women support each other’s ambitions and our graduates stay connected to current students by serving as relatable and inspirational mentors. Our alumnae even volunteer to welcome incoming and visiting Young Women’s Prep students on their college and university campuses.

The direction received from College Bound Advisors, peer support, and academic preparation leads to tremendous outcomes for our students. In 2014, 100% of our 146 graduates were accepted to 4-year colleges and universities and enrolled in 65 unique schools.

These results are especially impressive because 70% of our girls come from economically disadvantaged homes and 82% of our students are of African American and Hispanic backgrounds. In addition, 73% of the class of 2015 will be first generations college graduates.

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Staff Members

Lynn McBee | Chief Executive OfficerPatty Leyendecker | Chief Development OfficerShareea Woods | Chief Program OfficerKaren Kaufman | Office Manager

Members of the Board

Gina Betts | ChairmanMatt AdamsGloria CamposLaura EstradaMarion FloresAshley Tripplehorn HuntMargaret KeliherBarbara D’Auria LernerEvelyn MillerCamie ShelmireMichele SnyderAleta StampleyKelly TackeMichele VobachTodd Williams

“Girls Today,

Women Tomorrow,

Leaders Forever”

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2804 Swiss Avenue Dallas TX 75204214 824 1400

youngwomensprep.org

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