Single-gender schools

  MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Ayo Sabb, 12, listens to his 6th grade World History Advanced teacher, Federico Rodriguez, Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Young Men's Preparatory Academy. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Andre Gainey, left, lead teacher at Young Men's Preparatory Academy, talks to students about the seven habits of highly effective teens, Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
A group of new 6th graders, at Young Men's Preparatory Academy, listen to their lead teacher, during their Wednesday assembly, August 29, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Josiv (CQ) Flores, 17, right, a senior and school president at Young Men's Preparatory Academy, has a laugh during their Wednesday school assembly, August 29, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Marquise Ritchie, center,17, a senior, helps mentor, Sean Cadet, right, 11, who has just picked up the trumpet for the first time in Gamaliel Fleurantin's jazz ensemble class, at Young Men's Preparatory Academy, Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Herbert Miller, 12, a brand new 6th grader, at Young Men's Preparatory Academy, plays with his new tie, Wednesday, August 29, 2012, in Ivonne Regalado's spanish class. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Students at Young Men's Preparatory Academy head for their Wednesday assembly, August 29, 2012, passing the school symbol, the lion. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Among the growing options in single gender classes in South Florida is the Young Women's Preparatory Academy, 1150 SW 1st St. Now in its seventh year, with over 400 students and a waiting list, the school has had huge success including state and national rankings. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Ebony Smith, left, 16, and Sakia Sanchez, right, 15, both 11th graders at Young Women's Preparatory Academy, study in their ACT prep class, Thursday, August 30, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Women's Preparatory Academy, 1150 SW 1st St., has had huge success, now in their 7th year and over 400 students, with a waiting list, and state and national rankings. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Seniors Rosee Rodriguez, left, and Jimiece Thomas, center, and junior Emily Rodriguez work on separating the components of a mixture and determining their percentages during Dr. Ignacio Rodon's AP Chemistry class, at Young Women's Preparatory Academy, Thursday, August 30, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Women's Preparatory Academy, 1150 SW 1st St., has had huge success, now in their 7th year and over 400 students, with a waiting list, and state and national rankings. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Ty'kera Ross, left, Cayli Narvaez, center, and Latrice Cabrera, right, head down the hallway during classes, at Young Women's Preparatory Academy. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Michelle Rodriguez, 15, a 10th grader at Young Women's Preparatory Academy, answers a question in Anthony Cabrera's AP Human Geography class, Thursday, August 30, 2012. Cabrera was quizzing the girls using a smart board to identify the countries of Europe. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Women's Preparatory Academy, 1150 SW 1st St., has had huge success, now in their 7th year and over 400 students, with a waiting list, and state and national rankings. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Sophia Pons, right, 13, grabs a seat at lunch, with Daniella Verdi, 13, left, and Patricia Garcia, 13, all 8th graders, at Young Women's Preparatory Academy, Thursday, August 30, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Women's Preparatory Academy, 1150 SW 1st St., has had huge success, now in their 7th year and over 400 students, with a waiting list, and state and national rankings. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Connie Martinez, left, principal of Young Women's Preparatory Academy, for the past five years, has a doll dressed in the school uniform outside her office, Thursday, August 30, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Women's Preparatory Academy, 1150 SW 1st St., has had huge success, now in their 7th year and over 400 students, with a waiting list, and state and national rankings. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Dwayne Lafavor's fourth grade all girls class at Charles Drew Elementary School for single gender class story in Pompano Beach on September 24,2012. Joe Rimkus Jr. / Miami Herald Staff
Dwayne Lafavor's fourth grade all girls class at Charles Drew Elementary School for single gender class story in Pompano Beach on September 24,2012. Joe Rimkus Jr. / Miami Herald Staff
Dwayne Lafavor's fourth grade all girls class at Charles Drew Elementary School for single gender class story in Pompano Beach on September 24,2012. Joe Rimkus Jr. / Miami Herald Staff
Dwayne LaFavor's fourth grade all girls class at Charles Drew Elementary School for single gender class story in Pompano Beach on September 24,2012.Here "Queen for the day",Rebekah Cadestin is all smiles. Joe Rimkus Jr. / Miami Herald Staff
Dwayne Lafavor's fourth grade all-girls class at Charles Drew Elementary is part of Broward school district's pilot program, offering all-boys and all-girls classes as an option at six schools, which still provide co-ed classes as well. September 24, 2012. Joe Rimkus Jr. / Miami Herald Staff
Sixth graders head toward lunch, passing the mural with the 7 habits of highly effective teens, Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Among the growing options in single gender classes, in South Florida, is the Young Men's Preparatory Academy. This year they are adding middle school, starting with sixth graders. The school has had some success, 90 percent college acceptance, but enrollment is weak and transportation is difficult. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF