Young Women's Preparatory Network

The Young Women's Preparatory Network's (YWPN) mission is to support single-gender, college-preparatory, public education in Texas and beyond, giving young women the academic and leadership skills to achieve success in college and in life.

Founded in 2002, YWPN partners with public school districts across Texas to operate the nation’s largest network of all-girls, public, college-preparatory academies. There are twelve schools in the network including two in El Paso - The Young Women's Leadership Academy in YISD and The Young Women's STEAM Academy in EPISD.

YWPN’s proven model helps students—often first-generation college-goers—overcome socioeconomic barriers through its College Bound Initiative. This comprehensive program includes one-on-one college counseling focused on match and fit, financial aid support, college visits, parent education, and a multi-day summer camp for rising seniors and their families. Campus-based advisors guide students through admissions, connect them with college resources, and advocate for opportunities to ensure they are competitive applicants.

The Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) and the Young Women’s STEAM Academy (YWA) are the only free, all-girls, college-preparatory public schools in the El Paso community. Established in 2016 and 2017, respectively, these schools serve grades 6–12 and offer a rigorous STEAM-focused curriculum grounded in the core values of Responsibility, Trustworthiness, and Respect. Their students consistently exceed academic expectations, demonstrating that all young women—regardless of background—can succeed when given the right opportunities.