The YWLCS sets high standards for its students. Our goal is develop young women who: Demonstrate their ability to create a strong network of relationships through articulate and confident communication and effective interpersonal skills.

Have the reading, writing, technological and analytical skills to succeed in a post-secondary educational setting.

Have the curiosity, open-mindedness, creativity and resourcefulness to explore thoughts and ideas in depth and from multiple perspectives.

Have the confidence and critical thinking ability to develop solid, realistic and flexible future/educational plans based on their strengths, purpose and potential.

Demonstrate social awareness, value diversity and actively work towards building an equitable and just society.

In order to pass any class, a student must be able to demonstrate that she is either proficient or high performing in at least 70% of the outcomes for that class. Promotion from each grade to the next is based on an increasing level of proficiency. High school students must also accumulate enough credits to be eligible for promotion. The number of credits required corresponds to the requirements for all Chicago Public Schools.

To be promoted from 7th grade to 8th grade, a student must have an overall standing of proficient or better in 60% of all outcomes. The standard increases at each grade, so that in order to graduate, a student must have demonstrated proficiency or high performance in 85% of all the outcomes for which she has been evaluated.