Why a School for Girls? 

• During the middle and high school years—the developmental stage of adolescence—a girl benefits most from attending a school designed specifically for her. In an environment where teachers, coaches, and peers accept, support, and encourage her, a girl is free to be herself and free to try new things. She more easily rejects the limitations both she and society may place on her and can forge her own path to reach her full potential.
• In a learning environment tailored specifically to girls, she is unhindered in her journey of self-discovery and can explore endless possibilities, to become her most authentic self.

“When women are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.” ~Michelle Obama.

According to the Youth Homelessness Overview conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), there are an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in the U.S. on a yearly basis. This means approximately one in thirty youths (ages 13-17) will experience homelessness each year. Housing instability, which includes bouts of long and short term homelessness, is a pervasive condition that can adversely affect every aspect of a young person’s life. Being unhoused can interfere with a child’s ability to focus and may cause developmental delays. 

Homelessness regardless of developmental stage is a traumatic experience that can lead to educational delays. Disruption in their academic career is an obvious factor in a student’s learning but the compounded nature of trauma and disruption can be a grave detriment to a student’s education. Changes in the adolescent’s environment both affect and are affected by the internal changes of adolescence. These external influences, which differ among cultures and societies, include social values and norms and the changing roles, responsibilities, relationships and expectations of this period of life.

Early childhood

Although our students are older than what is considered early childhood (birth through 8 years of age) our students come from a variety of backgrounds that may include an early childhood that consisted of homelessness. Early childhood is a pivotal period of child development in which experiences and opportunities available to a child are foundational to one's ability to grow, learn and build relationships (internal and external).

Adolescence

Adolescence is a transitional developmental stage that follows the onset of puberty during which a young person (ranging from 10-19) develops from a child into an adult. During this unique and crucial time period, young people undergo a range of physical, neurological, hormonal, psychosocial and emotional changes.

• Adolescence is one of the most rapid phases of human development. Although the order of many of the changes appears to be universal, their timing and the speed of change vary among and even within individuals. Both the characteristics of an individual (e.g. sex) and external factors (e.g. inadequate nutrition, an abusive environment) influence these changes. 
• Important neuronal developments also take place during the adolescent years. These developments are linked to hormonal changes but are not always dependent on them. Developments occur in regions of the brain, such as the limbic system, that are responsible for pleasure seeking and reward processing, emotional responses and sleep regulation. At the same time, changes occur in the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for what are called executive functions: decision-making, organization, impulse control and planning for the future. The changes in the prefrontal cortex occur later in adolescence than the limbic system changes.
• Linked to the hormonal and neurodevelopmental changes of adolescence are psychosocial and emotional changes and increasing cognitive and intellectual capacities. Over the course of the second decade, adolescents develop stronger reasoning skills, logical and moral thinking, and become more capable of abstract thinking and making rational judgements. 

At the Hull Academy, we aim to take on a holistic approach to providing our students an education. This education is meant to consider the entire student, not just their academic potential. As our students have a record of instability, the education we aim to provide considers the entire student, not just their academic potential or the ability to fit the standards set by higher education. 

Explore comprehensive resources on youth development, health, and homelessness, addressing the challenges and solutions outlined by NCSL, WHO, AAP, and NCHE, for informed insights into adolescent well-being and preventive care.

Helpful Links

For more information please see the links below

https://www.ncsl.org/human-services/youth-homelessness-overview

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/adolescent-health-and-development

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/early-childhood/

https://nche.ed.gov/research/