Women's Academy of Excellence

The Women's Academy of Excellence (WAE) is a small, all-girls public high school in the Bronx, serving grades 9-12. The school is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and empowering community, guided by its LEADS mission of Leadership, Empowerment, Academic Excellence, Dedication, and Sisterhood. WAE offers a rigorous, inquiry-based curriculum with a strong emphasis on math, science, business, healthcare, and leadership development. Students have opportunities to take Advanced Placement courses and college-level courses through partnerships with Monroe College and the National Education Equity Lab. A significant strength of WAE is its robust Finance & Business Management pathway, part of the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship (CRMYA) and FutureReadyNYC initiatives, which provides students with paid apprenticeships at leading organizations such as JP Morgan Chase and Memorial Sloan Kettering, preparing them for real-world careers. Students are also required to complete 200 hours of community service prior to graduation. Parent sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with high satisfaction reported across various aspects of the school environment and support for college readiness. The school is recognized for fostering a strong sense of sisterhood and community among its students. While the four-year graduation rate of 88.0% is around the citywide 25th percentile, and the college enrollment rate of 57.1% is also near the 25th percentile, the school's Regents pass rates show varied performance. English Regents pass rates are somewhat below typical citywide benchmarks for similar schools, while Algebra I pass rates are comparable. The school's Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Regents pass rate is exceptionally high at 100.0%. Student feedback regarding safety and discipline is mixed, with some concerns about bullying and fights, though the administration actively works to maintain order. Some parents and students have also expressed a desire for a broader range of electives and more advanced classes.