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Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

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The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders is an all-girls college preparatory public school of choice for students in grades 6–12 located in Austin, Texas. The school is named for former Texas governor Ann Richards and is part of the Austin Independent School District. In 2015 it was named the 19th most challenging high school in the nation by The Washington Post.[4]

The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Current school building
Address
Map
2309 Panther Trail

Austin
,
Texas
78704

United States
Coordinates30°14′10″N 97°47′17″W / 30.236°N 97.788°W / 30.236; -97.788
Information
School typePublic, Middle school & High school
Established2007 (2007)
School districtAustin Independent School District
NCES District ID4808940[3]
CEEB code440382
NCES School ID480894011354[1]
DirectorKristina Waugh
Faculty40.35 FTE[1]
Grades6–12
GenderSingle-sex Female[1]
Enrollment773[2] (2014–2015)
Color(s)    Blue and White
Athleticsannrichardsathletics.com
SportsVolleyball, Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Track, Tennis, Swimming, Roller Derby
MascotStars
Websiteannrichardsschool.org

History

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Former school building

The Ann Richards School (commonly referred to as "ARS") was established in 2007 in the former building of Porter Middle School in south Austin. Former Texas governor Ann Richards took part in making the school possible, but Richards died before she could see the school open. Academy Award-Winning Actress Sandra Bullock and the school's founding principal, Jeanne Goka, also took part in opening the school.[5] In its first year the school was opened to sixth- and seventh-grade students, and a grade was added each year until the 2012–2013 school year, when the school's oldest students reached the twelfth grade; in June 2013 the school's first senior class graduated.[6] Although the school was originally housed in the former building of Porter Middle School, the school was rebuilt in stages following a 2017 bond and the new building was fully completed in 2022.[7]

The Ann Richards School is part of the Young Women's Preparatory Network (formerly the Foundation for the Education of Young Women), the National Coalition of Girls' Schools, and the Young Women's Leadership Network; it is a "sister school" to the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School in Dallas, Texas and the Young Women's Leadership School of East Harlem in Harlem, New York.[8]

The school has also had various notable visitors including Chelsea Clinton[9] and Kirsten Gillibrand[10] and Angela Davis.[11]

Admissions

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Admission to the school is only granted in grades six through ten. The admissions are classified as "competitive" with 150 acceptances in the sixth grade and no waiting list. Admissions are based on prospective students' essay of interest, teacher recommendations, recent report cards, attendance records and standardized test scores. Qualified applicants are then placed in a lottery and are drawn at random, where 75% are admitted from Title I schools.[12]

Academics

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The school's curriculum focuses on leadership, STEM subjects, and college readiness.[13] Upon entering high school, students choose between course schedules emphasizing one of three "pathways": biomedical science, engineering, or media technology.[14] Additionally, high school students are required to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses, while middle school students are required to take Pre-AP courses. Middle School students also take STEM based electives and PLTW courses.

The school also has a comprehensive wellness program and students are required to participate in yoga once per week, as well as enjoy time outdoors. Students also take athletics and physical education classes and yearly wellness courses that focus on body image and health. The Ann Richards School is also part of the CDC's CATCH school program, designed to improve physical activity and diet.[15]

Extracurricular activities

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The Ann Richards School offers a variety of extracurricular activities is notable for its success in extracurricular activities at the district and state level.

The student-run yearbook, "The Constellation," and the student-run newspaper, "The Polaris Press,"[16] are popular among students. High school students can participate in Texas Youth and Government which includes Model United Nations and Mock Trial. A number of STEM-related groups are also available including a robotics club. The school also offers Theatre, Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Visual Arts.

Athletics

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Cross Country

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The Ann Richard School's high school cross country team has consistently placed 1st or 2nd in both the JV and Varsity[17] divisions of the District meet,[18] even sending runners to the Regional and State Meets as well.

Volleyball

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The school's high school volleyball team has been continually in the media since it played its first varsity season in 2012; previously it used a subvarsity program. The team has won multiple district titles since 2012.

The Ann Richards School Foundation

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The Ann Richards School Foundation is a non-profit organization that funds The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders.[19] Ann Richards' daughter, Ellen Richards, is one of the foundation's directors. The Ann Richards School Foundation held the annual "Ann Richards Birthday Bash" as a fundraiser to the Ann Richards School from 2007 to 2013.[20] In 2012, the Ann Richards Birthday Bash was held at the home of cyclist Lance Armstrong.[21] In 2013 the Birthday Bash was replaced with the annual "Reach for the Stars" event held in May to celebrate the achievements of graduating seniors. The event often honors notable speakers such as Brené Brown.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Search for Public Schools - Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders (480894011354)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  2. ^ "School Overview".
  3. ^ "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Austin Independent School District". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  4. ^ Jay Mathews (April 19, 2015). "America's Most Challenging High Schools national top 25 list for 2015". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  5. ^ "Founders". The Ann Richards School. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  6. ^ Weldom, Kelli (April 25, 2013). "Ann Richards School's first seniors prepare to graduate, attend college". Community Impact News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  7. ^ "AISD holds grand opening". Fox7. March 30, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  8. ^ "School Overview and History". The Ann Richards School. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "Chelsea Clinton visits Austin school for young women leaders". Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  10. ^ "Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic candidate for president, speaks at Ann Richards School - News - Austin American-Statesman - Austin, TX". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  11. ^ "Dr. Angela Davis Visits the Ann Richards School - Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  12. ^ "Admissions".
  13. ^ Jackson, Holly (December 6, 2013). "Birthday Bash benefits Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  14. ^ "Curriculum". The Ann Richards School. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  15. ^ "CATCH School Health Program". www.CDC.gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 27, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  16. ^ "About Us".
  17. ^ "Who run the world? GIRLS".
  18. ^ "All good things must come to an end: ARS Cross Country seniors run their last race".
  19. ^ "Ann Richards School Foundation". The Ann Richards School. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  20. ^ "Ann Richards Foundation retires the Birthday Bash, adopts new spring fundraiser". ARS Polaris Press. September 13, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  21. ^ "Ann Richards School Birthday Bash". Tribeza. October 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  22. ^ "Honoring Brené Brown - Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders". www.annrichardsschool.org. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019.

Further reading

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