About | FORWARD GIRLS LEADERSHIP

What Sets Us Apart

Why FORWARD Girls Leadership Academy?

In today’s rapidly evolving world, empowering young women to become confident leaders is more crucial than ever. FORWARD Girls Leadership Academy stands at the forefront of this mission, offering a transformative educational experience specifically designed for girls. Our academy is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of female leaders by providing a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

At FORWARD, we believe that every girl has the potential to make a significant impact in her community and beyond. Our innovative curriculum emphasizes not only academic excellence but also the development of essential leadership skills, critical thinking, and resilience. With a diverse array of extracurricular activities, mentorship opportunities, and community engagement initiatives, we empower our students to discover their passions, voice their ideas, and pursue their ambitions fearlessly.

Choosing FORWARD Girls Leadership Academy means investing in an education that prioritizes empowerment, collaboration, and growth. We are committed to equipping our students with the tools they need to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in their future endeavors. Join us in fostering a generation of strong, capable young women who are ready to lead with purpose and vision.

Meet Our Founder

For more than two decades, I have had the honor of serving as an educator, principal, mentor, and advocate for young women who possess extraordinary potential. Throughout my career, I have walked the hallways of schools where I saw girls brimming with brilliance, creativity, and leadership—yet too often, their light was dimmed by environments that didn’t fully see or cultivate their greatness.

As a mother, educator, and lifelong learner, I began to imagine something different—a place where girls could lead with confidence, learn with purpose, and grow into women who would shape the world. I envisioned a school where their voices would not only be heard, but honored. A school where the lessons of leadership, resilience, and self-discovery would be woven into every subject, every project, and every relationship.

That vision became FORWARD Girls Leadership Academy—a tuition-free, single-gender public charter high school designed exclusively for Cleveland’s daughters. FORWARD is built on the belief that when girls are given the right environment—one rooted in sisterhood, scholarship, and self-belief—they rise.

With two distinct academic pathways—Leadership in STEM & Innovation and Leadership in Global Humanities—FORWARD equips girls to explore, create, and lead in a rapidly changing world. The curriculum blends academic rigor with real-world learning, mentorship, and leadership development, ensuring that every student graduates with both the knowledge and the confidence to pursue her dreams.

FORWARD isn’t just a school; it’s a movement. It represents a promise to Cleveland’s daughters—that they will be seen, supported, and celebrated. It is a place where excellence is expected, authenticity is embraced, and leadership is cultivated in every young woman who walks through our doors.

Every decision, every program, and every classroom at FORWARD reflects my belief that girls who are empowered with purpose become women who transform their communities. My hope is that generations from now, the young women who begin their journey here will look back and know that FORWARD was more than a school—it was the foundation of their leadership and the beginning of their legacy.

With pride and purpose,
Dr. Luciana Gilmore
Founder & Head of School
FORWARD Girls Leadership Academy

ms. gilliam

assistant principal

Founding Staff

As FORWARD Girls Leadership Academy's Founding Staff, they are more than educators—they are pioneers building a school designed to redefine what is possible for girls. Each member of the team was selected not only for their professional expertise, but also for their unwavering belief in the limitless potential of every student.

Together, they are creating a culture rooted in high expectations, meaningful relationships, innovation, leadership, and academic excellence. Every lesson taught, every relationship built, and every opportunity created is driven by one shared purpose: ensuring the Founding Class of 2030 becomes the first generation of remarkable women who embody the FORWARD mission.