Young Women’s Preparatory Network Announces A Record Six Students from Dallas’ Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School Are Named QuestBridge Match Scholars
(Featured photo: The six QuestBridge Match Scholars are: Marissa Arana, Sarahi Zuniga, Viviana Mares Solano, Dalia Segura, Lina Canales, and Sandy Arenas Romero.)*
Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN) is thrilled to announce that six students from Dallas’ Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School have been named QuestBridge Match Scholars.
YWPN’s 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. YWPN formed the first public/private partnership with the Dallas Independent School District in August 2004, opening the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, the first all-girls public school in Texas.
From YWPN College Success Advisor, Erika Gonzales:
“Six QuestBridge matches is a phenomenal accomplishment for our school. There are entire districts in our area that received four or five matches, and we have SIX matches at Rangel. This achievement speaks volumes about the dedication of our students, the quality of our academic programs, and our unwavering commitment to ensuring all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, have equal access to higher education.” Some of our students’ College matches this year include Brown University, Emory University, University of Chicago, and Boston College.
QuestBridge is a prestigious program that connects high-achieving, low-income students with full scholarships to the nation’s best colleges. These colleges recognize the academic talent and potential of QuestBridge Match Scholars and commit to fully funding their four-year education, removing financial barriers and opening doors to top-tier institutions.
QuestBridge: Out of over 20,800 applicants, QuestBridge selected 6,683 finalists to be considered for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship (Match Scholarship). This year, QuestBridge’s 50 college partners matched with 2,242 Finalists, who are recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients. The Match Scholarship is made up of a generous financial aid package provided by the college that covers the total cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses.
Read the press release here: https://www.questbridge.org/news-and-media/press-release-12-1-2023
Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School (Rangel)
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School stands as Texas’s first all-girls public school, a beacon of educational excellence and empowerment.
Located in South Dallas at Fair Park, Rangel is a testament to YWPN’s commitment to empowering young women through education. Our school has consistently ranked among the top in the nation, nurturing bright and resilient young women from diverse backgrounds. US News and World Report ranks the school as the 2nd Best High School in Texas and the 18th Best in the Nation.
Rangel’s students are determined young women facing unique challenges yet harboring immense potential. Predominantly students of color, including Hispanic/Latinx and Black students, and the majority hailing from economically disadvantaged homes, our girls demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and resilience. They are pioneers, breaking barriers as first-generation college attendees; many are also first-generation high school graduates with aspirations reaching far beyond societal norms.
Key demographics for the 2022-2023 school year at Rangel include:
- 94% students of color (83% Hispanic/Latinx, 7% Black, 2% Asian, 2% Multi-racial)
- At least 71% from economically disadvantaged homes
- 74% of Class of 2023 graduates were first-generation high school graduates
- 82% of Class of 2023 graduates are first-generation college attendees
Notably, our impact is visible in our graduates’ success, with results showcasing:
- 100% high school graduation rate (2009-2023)
- 100% college acceptance rate (2009-2023)
- 59% of the Rangel Class of 2023 planned to pursue STEM degrees, surpassing national averages.
- Over $16.2 million in academic/merit scholarships awarded to the Class of 2023
- 94% of the Rangel Class of 2023 enrolled in college the semester after high school graduation
About Young Women’s Preparatory Network:
YWPN’s 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, the Young Women’s Preparatory Network is a nonprofit agency that partners with public school districts across Texas to operate the largest network of 6th – 12th grade all-girls, public, college preparatory schools nationwide. Our schools are located in struggling urban neighborhoods and have proven to be very successful. The schools have won multiple academic achievement awards, including being recognized among the top public schools in Texas and the nation.
YWPN formed the first public/private partnership with the Dallas Independent School District in August 2004, opening the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, the first all-girls public school in Texas. Because of the success of the first school in Dallas, YWPN’’s educational model is being replicated throughout the state as a catalyst for positive educational change.
Today, YWPN has a Network of schools in Austin, Fort Worth, Houston (Houston ISD and Aldine ISD), Lubbock, Midland, San Antonio, and El Paso (Ysleta ISD), serving more than 4,300 young women this year.
*Photo courtesy YWPN
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent Young Women’s Preparatory Network for this special announcement and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles eBuzz.)
