LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – School starts Thursday for a free, all-girls charter school aiming to help young women from underserved communities.
The Young Women’s Leadership Academy in East Las Vegas opened its doors two years ago and continues to grow. Right now, they are aiming for a major expansion. They had about 180 girls last year and are now looking to add as many as 200 more this school year.
It is the only girls charter school in Nevada. It’s focus: growing the next generation of female leaders. “Sometimes it is hard to see yourself. That was definitely my story but now that I am able to bring other girls along, that won’t be their story,” shared Jaalah Lewis, the College Bound Initiative Coordinator at Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Lewis is born and raised in Las Vegas. “I am actually a product of a charter school, free public charter on our Greater Westside,” Lewis explained. Lewis learned firsthand the importance of having a hand to hold, a mentor in the education process. “I believe having that access having people who look like me, teachers who look like me, executives who look like me, was a superpower. That allowed me to raise up my voice, to be confident,” Lewis reported.
That’s the mission of YMLA which started in New York City, now with a dozen locations in major cities: empowering young women.
“It was her choice. She wanted to be here. I ask her continuously, ‘Do you want to be here?’, and she wants to be here,” Wiley Reynolds stated. Reynolds daughter Ka’mara will be an 8th grader this year. Reynolds beamed she blossomed at the school last year. “She was kind of on the shy side and having a mentor, it really helped bring her out of her shell,” Reynold revealed. The teacher to student ratio is 14:1.
“Because we are so small…everybody knows your name,” Executive Director Selina Torres contended. Torres grew up near the East Las Vegas campus and says the school fills a need with their focus on mentorship and college and career readiness.
Irwin Barcenes, a veteran of the hospitality industry, says that’s why he’s jumping onboard. “On the Strip right now, it is about 46-47% of women management but 29% only for the actual leadership like executives, presidents and so on and so forth. So, what drew me here is being able to pass my education on to these young women,” Barcenes asserted.
Young Women’s Leadership Academy reports nearly 100% of graduates attend college. Girls can come from anywhere in the Vegas Valley. The school has a daily bus route, and that transportation is free.
YWLA is now accepting applications for 6th to 9th-grade students. Families interested in enrolling can call (702) 931-9972 or visit the school in person Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 3415 S Mojave Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89121. You can learn more here: Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Las Vegas
The academy provides education to girls and gender-neutral youth and has no registration fees or requirements to enroll.
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