About Us » Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Our school opened in 1996 as the first in a national network of excellent all-girls college prep schools.  First located in converted office space in East Harlem, the school was renamed The Young Women’s Leadership School of Manhattan (TYWLS Manhattan) when we outgrew our first home and moved to a new location on the West Side in 2023. TYWLS Manhattan nurtures the intellectual curiosity and creativity of young women by supporting the 'whole girl' in order to maximize academic achievement, social emotional well-being, and post-secondary success.
 
Our school is guided by teachers and staff dedicated to creating a supportive and academically challenging environment, investing in each girl's potential to achieve high standards in every area including math, science, and technology. We have a very supportive school culture that includes daily advisory, after-school academic tutoring, and regular contact with parents. Our students have opportunities for challenging work both in the classroom and through partnerships with many outside organizations. The Student Leadership Network supports TYWLS Manhattan with a wide range of programs to help prepare our students for leadership in their communities.
 
TYWLS Manhattan is also supported by the CollegeBound Initiative (CBI), which promotes college access and financial aid options for every student. We have a full-time CBI college counselor on staff who guides students and parents through the process of visiting and choosing colleges, applying to college, and applying for financial aid. Since its inception, TYWLS Manhattan has been extremely successful, with near perfect graduation and college acceptance rates.