Our History

High expectations and evidence of concrete results define the student's academic experience

Young Women’s College Prep Charter School of Rochester (YWCP) made history on August 27, 2012, when the school opened its doors to 81 seventh-grade students as the only all-girls public school. Co-Founders Laura Rebell Gross and Brooke Stafford-Brizard identified the need in Rochester for a school based on the highly successful model of the Young Women’s Leadership Schools in New York City, which have celebrated graduation rates of over 96% every year for the past 20+ years, and every graduating senior has been accepted to college with significant financial aid. Their graduates earn four-year college degrees at four times the rate of their national peers. For more information, visit www.studentleadershipnetwork.org

Today, YWCP is part of a national network of nearly 20 all-girls college prep schools that are turning today’s girls into tomorrow’s leaders.

Vision and Mission

YWCP offers young women from the city of Rochester the opportunity to learn in a single-gender environment, free from stereotypes, where a strong focus is placed on preparation for college enrollment and graduation. We support students in their endeavors to achieve excellence in and out of the classroom, helping them to develop the strong voices they will need to be leaders. YWCP believes in educating the whole girl, which encompasses academic achievement, career and college preparation, leadership, and personal and social development.

We support students in their endeavors to achieve excellence in and out of the classroom, helping them to develop the strong voices they will need to be leaders.

More about Young Women's College Prep

College Decision Day 2018

The Power of Education 2017

Rise Up 2016

Our Model

Through its affiliation with YWLN, YWCP adheres to a proven educational model that includes both academic and broader cultural components resulting in student achievement. All YWLN schools have rigorous college preparatory curricula with an emphasis on STEM, a daily Advisory program, college counseling, uniforms, extracurricular enrichment, and a focus on leadership skill development. Our small class sizes, individualized instruction, and rigorous curriculum ensure that YWCP students are prepared to be competitive college applicants and to succeed in higher education pursuits.

Why All Girls?

There is abundant research showing the impact on learning in a single-gender environment. Students are more likely to feel better connected to their schools and are more likely to develop strong relationships with their teachers. They are also more likely to pursue academic paths according to their talents and interests rather than particular gender stereotypes.

Most importantly, a single-gender environment provides the opportunity to integrate strong female role models and create an atmosphere that emphasizes girl-power, leadership and self-confidence.

We need your help!

The YWCP Foundation provides the additional resources the school needs to fulfill its promise of college for every student.

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About YWCP

Young Women's College Prep Charter School of Rochester (YWCP) offers young women from the city of Rochester the opportunity to learn in a single-gender environment, free from stereotypes, where a strong focus is placed on preparation for college enrollment and graduation.

Learn More