Fort Worth ISD

All-Boys School Welcomes First Senior Class

The new school year brings a first for the Young Men's Leadership Academy in the Fort Worth ISD.
The very first senior class now walks the halls. 
"It's kind of daunting to me to think we left a legacy here," said senior Andres Cortes. "We left an impact and we're setting examples for future generations and to be the example others will look up to."
"We started this. We are the foundation. We set the example for all those who come after us,"  said senior Michael Matthews.
High expectations came from the day the students set foot in YMLA.
"The mission of the school is college prep, and we are empowering young men to become academic scholars," said principal Rodney White.
The district tapped White to open the school for 6th - 12th graders in 2012. Those first students he welcomed are now ready to leave his watchful eye.
"Seeing them as seventh graders and now as seniors, it's very emotional for me. I have a lot of love in my heart for them, They're like my sons," said White.
Students Michael Matthews and Andres Cortes found a brotherhood at YMLA, bonded by goals to suceeed in the classroom. 
"You bond. They're your brothers. You go through tough times, so you learn to bond and become one," said Matthews. 
"I've loved my time at the school these past six years and am ready to move on to bigger and better things," said Cortes.
Cortes and Matthews came to YMLA as seventh graders in 2012.  They are now among 43 young men who are now the Class of 2018, the inaugural senior class. 
Both believe they are better prepared for the life after high school thanks to the challenging environment. Both see their next step as college. Both want to take what they learn and bring it back home. 
"They gave me the skills and the foundation to go into the community to make it better than it is now," said Matthews.
Cortes agreed. "It's not just them teaching me how to lead, but it's giving me the drive to lead, getting me to want to lead, to want to come back to the community to help other kids and poeple here."
YMLA is the FWISD's second single-gender school.  The Young Women's Leadership Academy opened in August 2010.

The new school year brings a first for the Young Men's Leadership Academy in the Fort Worth ISD. The very first senior class now walks the halls. 

"It's kind of daunting to me to think we left a legacy here," said senior Andres Cortes. "We left an impact and we're setting examples for future generations and to be the example others will look up to."

"We started this. We are the foundation. We set the example for all those who come after us,"  said senior Michael Matthews.

High expectations came from the day the students set foot in YMLA.

"The mission of the school is college prep, and we are empowering young men to become academic scholars," said principal Rodney White.

The district tapped White to open the school for 6th to 12th graders in 2012. Those first students he welcomed are now ready to leave his watchful eye.

"Seeing them as seventh graders and now as seniors, it's very emotional for me. I have a lot of love in my heart for them, They're like my sons," said White.

Students Michael Matthews and Andres Cortes found a brotherhood at YMLA, bonded by goals to suceeed in the classroom. 

"You bond. They're your brothers. You go through tough times, so you learn to bond and become one," said Matthews. 

"I've loved my time at the school these past six years and am ready to move on to bigger and better things," said Cortes.

Cortes and Matthews came to YMLA as seventh graders in 2012. They are now among 43 young men who are now the Class of 2018, the inaugural senior class. 

Both believe they are better prepared for the life after high school thanks to the challenging environment. Both see their next step as college. Both want to take what they learn in higher education and bring it back home. 

"They gave me the skills and the foundation to go into the community to make it better than it is now," said Matthews.

Cortes agreed. "It's not just them teaching me how to lead, but it's giving me the drive to lead, getting me to want to lead, to want to come back to the community to help other kids and poeple here."

YMLA is the FWISD's second single-gender school.  The Young Women's Leadership Academy opened in August 2010.

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