YISD to offer all-girl public school
The first ever single-gender public school will soon be making its way to the borderland.
At a news conference held on Tuesday, Ysleta Independent School District administrators detailed their plans for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy. YISD was selected to establish an all-girl Leadership Academy for grades 6-12 as a part of the Dallas-based Young Women’s Preparatory Network.
The Leadership Academy’s curriculum will focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). It will also feature three “core value” classes in responsible Leadership, college & career readiness, and wellness life skills.
Students will have their choice of a variety of elective classes, such as orchestra, mariachi, folkorico, theatre arts, robotics, innovation space, and computer science. Language classes will also be available that include Spanish, Chinese, American Sign Language, and Latin.
The YWLA’s mascot is the Transformer, and the school’s mantra is “Imagine the Possibilities.” Its colors will be navy blue, kelly green, and metallic gold. It will be under the leadership of Principal Malinda Villalobos and Academic Dean Lisa Boatright.
Only 125 sixth-graders and 125 seventh-graders will be accepted for the 2016-2017 school year. Any current fifth or sixth grade girl in good academic and behavioral standing who lives in El Paso County and completes an application packet will be considered for enrollment.
For more information on how someone can pick up an application packet call the YWLA office at 915-434-1300. The deadline for submitting applications is 4 p.m. Friday, February 5th.
