Students in the first graduating class of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders are gearing up to show the world what they can do, Principal Jeanne Goka said.

Of the 52 students preparing for graduation, 38 will be the first in their family to go to college. All of the students have been accepted by four-year colleges or universities, Goka said.

The class of 2013 at the school serving grades 6–12 began with 75 students, and historically the school has lost about 25 students with the transition from eighth to ninth grade, as students enroll or transfer elsewhere, according to Teri O'Glee, executive director of the nonprofit Ann Richards School Foundation.

Ninth-grade students at the school choose one of three potential pathways—engineering, media technology or biomedical sciences—and take one pathway class per year in addition to the rest of the school's curriculum. Goka said the girls go through rigorous science, technology, engineering and math-focused classes requiring internships, detailed projects, presentations and a capstone course, but she said what makes the school unique is its focus on preparing students to attend—and stay in—college.

Starting in sixth grade, students must take courses that familiarize them with college terminology and goal-setting, Goka said. Each year, students learn more about college—how to apply for scholarships, interview skills and building a resume. By the time they graduate, they will have visited 20 college campuses.

Idalia Vera, a senior, said this helped her prepare and narrow her area of study to landscape architecture.

"Since I was born into a family that really doesn't focus on college, it made me appreciate that there are a lot of options," Vera said.

Like many Ann Richards students, she plans to work this summer to save money for tuition, as she will have to secure funding for her education herself.

The school focuses on economically disadvantaged students. O'Glee said the school aims to help keep students grounded once they enter college.

"After years of working so hard, a $500 book bill can be the thing where [students] say, 'I can't do this anymore, and I'm leaving school,'" she said.

The school's alumnae director will help graduates when such issues arise, she said.

Goka said she is not resting on laurels.

"It's not just good enough to get these girls into college; we've got to get these girls out of college," she said. "They're part of our community, so we've got to keep them going through college. Eventually we'll have enough girls in college where they can eventually become our mentors for our next generation of Ann Richards girls."

About the school

The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders opened in August 2007 as a result of a public-private partnership with Austin ISD and the Dallas-based Foundation for the Education of Young Women.

FEYW founder Lee Posey led the creation of six all-girls public schools for economically disadvantaged students throughout Texas.

The school is named for Ann Willis Richards, the 45th governor of Texas, who was actively involved in planning for the school until her death in September 2006.

Source: Austin ISD