STUDENT LEADERSHIP NETWORK

MISSION 

Student Leadership Network began in 1996 when The Young Women’s Leadership School (“TYWLS”) of East Harlem opened. At the time, it was the first public all-girls school to open in the United States in 30 years. Since their establishment, the Young Women's Leadership Schools (TYWLS) have stood at the forefront of advancing girls' education in New York City. The success of the New York City TYWLS have since inspired dozens of single-gender Young Women’s Leadership Network schools to open nationwide. 

The Student Leadership Network supports TYWLS’ students, teachers, and administrators with opportunities and resources that enhance teaching and learning. For students, SLN provides a dedicated college counselor at each school site to implement a comprehensive early college awareness and college guidance program, as well as Network-wide events and enrichment opportunities to supplement student learning. For teachers, Student Leadership Network provides professional development and curricula support. And finally for principals, SLN offers individualized mentoring, funding for specialized professional development, an annual Principals’ Retreat, and a Summer Planning Institute to facilitate academic year preparations.

GRANT PURPOSE & IMPACT

Year 1: Amplify Her Foundation funding will support the expansion of the robotics team at the Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria. 

In a partnership established in 2017 with Cornell Tech, Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria formed a FIRST Robotics team, a venture that sees the high school team convening every Wednesday at Cornell’s maker space on Roosevelt Island. This collaboration allows the students to learn directly from experts and construct their competitive robot. Last year, the team made significant strides, advancing to the Citywide Qualifiers. To support their initiatives, funding will assist in purchasing necessary parts and expanding their outreach efforts. Additionally, TYWLS of Astoria has a burgeoning middle school Lego Robotics team, further fostering a passion for robotics and technological innovation among younger students.

TYWLS of Astoria also boasts an exceptional seven-year computer science track, offering students a comprehensive education in various coding languages and tech-focused topics like web and app development, python, JavaScript, and Java. Students who engage in this program, known as the Software Engineering Program (SEP), graduate with a Career & Technical Education (CTE) endorsement on their high school diploma, gain invaluable paid industry experience, earn college credit, and acquire the skills necessary to embark on a fulfilling career in computer science.

With funding from the Amplify Her Foundation, the Student Leadership Network will expand the robotics team at the Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria.

Year 2: Amplify Her Foundation funding will support the launch of a new robotics program at the Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx (TYWLS Bronx), expanding access to STEM education and opportunities.

This initiative builds on the success of the robotics program at TYWLS Astoria and represents an exciting new chapter for the Student Leadership Network. The Bronx program will provide high school students with hands-on robotics experience, combining technical skill-building with leadership and teamwork development. By participating in the FIRST Robotics program, students will design, build, and program competitive robots, gaining practical skills in engineering, coding, and problem-solving.

In addition to preparing students for competition, the TYWLS Bronx robotics program will foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, encouraging young women to envision themselves as future leaders in science and technology fields. This initiative aims to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM, addressing gender disparities in these industries.

With Amplify Her Foundation’s support, TYWLS Bronx will not only establish a thriving robotics program but also create pathways for students to develop critical technical and leadership skills. This investment will empower young women in the Bronx to take their first steps toward careers in STEM, breaking barriers and building a more equitable future.