In 2006, Sue Anne Wells and Maxine Bailey, community advocates and supporters of programs for women and girls, sat down at a kitchen table to have a cup of coffee.  The conversation turned to the academic and social development needs of girls from Chattanooga’s disadvantaged communities—and the noteworthy success of single-gender programs serving girls outside of school time.  During the course of that conversation, a question was posed, a question which launched a community-wide conversation that is still on-going:  “What could happen if we provide girls with an enriching, single-gender learning environment during and beyond the school day?  What if we started an all-girls school accessible to educationally underserved girls?” Based on that conversation, the founders formed the Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation and began the process of researching, planning, and developing the blueprint for the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, the first charter school to be approved by the Hamilton County Board of Education.

In July of 2009 the vision of the founder’s reached a milestone as seventy-five girls entered the historic James A. Henry building as the inaugural cohort of students at the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA).  The first day of school was a milestone for the girls—and for our community.  Along with CGLA staff, these girls and their families are embarking on an exciting journey.  The school will grow to serve grades 6-12 and offers a college-preparation curriculum, which emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The first six months of school operations was punctuated with noteworthy achievements.  Ninth grade students presented science projects at the UTC SimCenter in Fall 2009.  As part of CGLA’s new-school orientation, girls participated in an equestrian program; in October 2009 they traveled to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to cheer on the horse they had named Charlie as he participated in the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition, a program that prepares mustang horses for adoption.  CGLA’s instructional staff is making learning come alive—literally in some cases:  CGLA science teacher, Nancy Olenchek secured resources to implement a hydroponics program into the science classroom.  CGLA welcomes the involvement of families, and parents can frequently be found sitting in on classes with their daughters; meeting with staff to plan school activities; or visiting the Parents’ Place, a resource room for CGLA families.  Girls have benefitted from opportunities to learn alongside prominent women and experts in a variety of fields.  These milestones reflect the talent and dedication of CGLA students, strong support from families, investments from community partners, and the expertise of CGLA educators and staff.

YWLAF established CGLA with a mission to provide girls and young women with a rigorous college preparatory education focused on math, science, and technology in a supportive environment that nurtures self confidence, inspires leadership, encourages critical thinking, and promotes academic excellence. Through CGLA, YWLAF is introducing a robust roster of innovative school elements, coupled with ambitious outcomes and a strong accountability plan, calibrated to support girls on a pathway to academic success, college completion, and rewarding careers