Home About Us Media Kit Subscriptions Links Forum
APPEARED IN


View All Articles

Download PDF

DIRECTORIES:

Job Opportunities

Tutors

Workshops

Events

Sections:

Books

Camps & Sports

Careers

Children’s Corner

Collected Features

Colleges

Cover Stories

Distance Learning

Editorials

Medical Update

Metro Beat

Movies & Theater

Museums

Music, Art & Dance

Special Education

Spotlight On Schools

Teachers of the Month

Technology

Archives:

1995-2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

OCTOBER 2004

An Interview with Arnette Crocker, Principal, Young Women’s Leadership School
The newly opened Young Women’s Leadership School, modeled on its successful predecessor in Harlem and founded by Ann Tisch, is a public, single gender school in the Bronx. Ed.
by Pola Rosen, Ed.D.

Education Update: Describe the philosophy underlying the Young Women’s Leadership School?

Arnette Crocker: The mission of The Young Women’s Leadership School, Bronx Campus (TYWLS, Bronx) is to create a community of lifelong learners. TYWLS, Bronx is committed to nurturing the intellectual curiosity and creativity of young women, and to address their developmental needs. The school community will cultivate dynamic, participatory learning, enabling students to experience great success at many levels, especially in the fields of math, science, and technology. These future scholars will be exposed to a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum that will encourage them to achieve their personal best. TYWLS, Bronx will work collaboratively with families to instill in students a sense of community and ethical principles of behavior. TYWLS, Bronx students are expected to attend college and become the leaders of tomorrow.

TYWLS, Bronx is a part of a nationwide network of single-gender schools started by The Young Women’s Leadership Foundation (YWL Foundation). 

EU: What are the criteria for admission?

Ms. Crocker: Girls apply to the school via the Middle School Admissions process. Interested girls are invited to one of a series of open houses to determine whether the school is right for them. A percentage of the girls are recommended for acceptance, by TYWLS Recruitment Committee. The remaining percentage is determined via a lottery system implemented by the Regional Learning Center (RLC).

EU: How was the geographical area in the Bronx chosen?

Ms. Crocker: The former superintendent of Bronx High Schools, Dr. Norman Wechsler, approached Ann Tisch to negotiate the opening of an all boys and an all girls’ school within the Bronx high school district. When the districts were converted into regions the new regional superintendent, Laura Rodriquez, embraced and supported this effort.

EU: What were some of the challenges in setting up the school?
Ms. Crocker: The greatest challenge in setting up the school was preparing the space for the first day of school.

EU: How is funding provided?

Ms. Crocker: The school is funded by the Department of Education, The Young Women’s Leadership Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.

EU: What grades are included? How many students in the school? Student to teacher ratio? Average number of students per class?

Ms. Crocker: The school is a uniform dress school designed for grades 7 through 12. The school opened its doors with grade 7 and four teachers. The student- teacher ratio is 25 to 1.  The average number of students per class is 25.

EU: What are the plans for incorporating technology into the curriculum?

Ms. Crocker: The theme of the school is leadership through math, science and technology. The school has a computer lab and each girl is scheduled for a technology class. Teachers use the computer lab to enhance class projects through internet research. Students use the computer lab to enhance writing skills. Students will use technology to develop their end of the year portfolio presentations.

EU: Are you accountable to the Dept of Education as well as the board of the school?

Ms. Crocker: Yes

EU: Is there a plan for independent study? Plans for extracurricular and arts education?

Ms. Crocker: There are plans for independent study through the class projects and portfolio presentations.  There are also plans for extracurricular and arts education through our after school and Saturday Enrichment programs.

EU: What is your vision for the future?

Ms. Crocker: The vision of TYWLS, Bronx is to replicate TYWLS of East Harlem, which has been proven effective. For the past three years, 100 percent of the graduates of TYWLS of East Harlem have been accepted into four-year colleges.  TYWLS of East Harlem was rated the best school in NYC for admitting middle school students who were below grade level and enabling them to graduate on time. Our vision is to bring a similar type of educational opportunity to young women in the Bronx.#

COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

Name:

Email:
Show email
City:
State:

 


 

 

Education Update, Inc.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of the publisher. © 2004.