EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Young Women’s Leadership Academy in the Ysleta Independent School District has been ranked as the No. 1 high school in El Paso, but this year it is reaching a major milestone: 10 years of serving students in El Paso.

Principal Melinda Villalobos said the school has been successful in helping young women pursue higher education.

“Girls that have already graduated from college, gone off to law school, medical school, girls that are just now finishing college and going into their first career jobs. And I think what’s most important about the work that we’re doing is this takes a village. This takes every single person. There’s not a single person at our campus that doesn’t contribute to the success of our girls,” Villalobos said.

School Spotlight: Young Women’s Leadership Academy’s 10th anniversary

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The school focuses on more than just education, but also personal connections.

“I think it’s truly an honor to be a part of, well one, this school and then being able to see how this school has grown throughout the years. I think we’ve been able to see everybody connects with one another in different grade levels and the opportunities that we’re given such as like different clubs and activities and things like that where we’re able to really connect with each other,” one student said.

Senior students said seeing the graduates before them has inspired them to continue their education and set a path for younger students.

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