Luis Mena, Chief Financial Officer
YES Prep Public Schools
YES Prep Public Schools
About
Learn about YES Prep Public Schools including our News & Press Releases, Projects, and Team.
Talk to us
Have questions? Reach out to us directly.
Learn about YES Prep Public Schools including our News & Press Releases, Projects, and Team.
About YES Prep Public Schools
- Founded in
- 1998
- Schools
- 26
- Students (approximately)
- 20,000
Since 1998, YES Prep Public Schools has redefined what is possible in public education. With over 20,000 college-bound students across 26 campuses, we are a system of high-performing public charter schools proving that students from underserved communities can achieve at the highest academic levels. Our exceptional results demonstrate that better outcomes are not only possible, but also probable, when school systems build a culture of high expectations, and create effective support systems to ensure that student achievement is at the forefront of every decision made.
Mission
YES Prep Public Schools empowers all Houston students to succeed in college and to pursue lives of opportunity.
Vision
Every child in Houston will have equitable access to a public school that delivers a college-ready education.
Core Values
Pursue Excellence for All
Grow Authentic Leadership
Achieve Jaw-Dropping Results
Build Transformative Relationships
Create Pathways to Opportunity
Our focus at YES Prep is to prepare thousands of underserved students in Houston to be college ready, thereby transforming the city’s educational landscape. As such, all YES Prep students are expected to embody and demonstrate the YES Prep core values through their actions, their work, and their relationships.
Why We Exist
Across the nation, only half of all students from low-income communities graduate from high school and only 10% earn a college degree. Over the long term, these statistics damage our economy and prevent the next generation of leaders from emerging. In a country where a child’s zip code often determines their life trajectory, YES Prep provides evidence that different outcomes are possible when students are given access to high-quality educational opportunities. At YES Prep, we believe that every student, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, deserves the opportunity to receive a world-class education.
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are public schools! They are designed as complements to traditional ISDs. Charters exist to serve students that, for whatever reason, aren’t thriving in a one-size-fits-all traditional public school. Charters are free and open to all, offering every child an opportunity for a great education. Charters are given the flexibility to take creative approaches to teaching students in the way that works best for them. In exchange for that extra flexibility, charters are subject to increased accountability and transparency standards. For example, charters that receive a failing grade from the state for three years straight are shut down—no appeals allowed. This ensures that only the highest quality public charters can exist in Texas. YES Prep is a nonprofit organization. In fact, for-profit charter schools are illegal in Texas. That means that Texas charters are funded through community support and state funds. They receive no local taxpayer dollars. Every student deserves the chance to get a public education at a school that puts their needs first, regardless of zip code, income or ability level. By delivering for students from varied backgrounds and teaching them how they learn best, public charter schools are preparing the workforce of tomorrow and the future of Texas.
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News
News
September 3, 2025
YES Prep West Elementary opening in 2026, expanding access to high-quality pre-K–12 education
HOUSTON (August 2025) – YES Prep Public Schools — one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing public charter school systems in the country, will open YES Prep West Elementary in the Alief community in August 2026, continuing its mission to ensure every child has access to the education they deserve.
The new campus will open with pre-K through second grade, expanding to fifth grade in the coming years. The elementary school will directly feed into the highly rated, YES Prep West Secondary, creating a PK-12 pathway for families in the area.
This expansion is part of YES Prep’s growth strategy to build feeder patterns for each of its secondary schools, offering Houston families access to a consistent, tuition-free, and high-quality education focused on college readiness and student well-being.
“We’re excited to welcome students and families to West Elementary in August 2026,” said Founding Principal Dr. Caroline Thouin-Frederick. “Our goal is to nurture curiosity, independence and a love for learning, while ensuring every student feels seen, supported and respected for who they are.”
Located at 9910 Sharpcrest St., the new $22 million campus will serve students in the surrounding neighborhood, featuring unique spaces like science labs, art and music rooms, special education classrooms, and grade specific playgrounds. Classrooms will be equipped with the latest technology, providing rigorous academics, transportation, bilingual services, and mental health support.
Families can learn more about YES Prep West Elementary while attending a community Resource Fair on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at YES Prep West Secondary (10535 Harwin Dr., Houston, TX 77036). Doors open at 10 a.m.
The fair will feature a community food drive in partnership with local organizations, free food, games, prizes, and an opportunity to connect with YES Prep, and get details about enrollment for West Elementary.
To learn more, visit yesprep.org.
News
August 22, 2025
YES Prep is proud to announce that nearly all of our high schools have been named among the TOP SCHOOLS IN THE NATION in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings! YES Prep Southwest Secondary showed significant gains while continuing to set the bar for excellence, while other campuses showed steady growth, reflecting the impressive work of our students, families, and staff.
- In Houston, YES Prep Southwest Secondary, YES Prep North Central Secondary, and YES Prep Southeast Secondary RANKED IN THE TOP 10%!
- Nationally, YES Prep Southwest Secondary, YES Prep North Central Secondary, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, YES Prep Brays Oaks Secondary, YES Prep Fifth Ward Secondary, YES Prep East End Secondary, YES Prep Gulfton Secondary, YES Prep West Secondary, and YES Prep White Oak Secondary all RANKED AMONG THE TOP 10% IN THE COUNTRY!
These results are a testament to the unwavering commitment of our teachers, leaders, families, and students to ensure that every child has access to the high-quality education they deserve. While we celebrate these rankings, we recognize that they truly reflect the success of our students, the dedication of our families, and the hard work of our staff in pursuit of excellence.
Congratulations to our students, families, and staff on this achievement. We are proud of how far we’ve come and energized by the future ahead.
Read more about this achievement here.
About U.S. News & World Report Elementary School Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report K-12 rankings allow families to compare schools across the country, using key data to evaluate school performance. For more information on the rankings and methodology, visit the U.S. News & World Report website.
News
August 18, 2025
We are proud to share that YES Prep Public Schools made significant gains in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) accountability ratings for the 2024–2025 school year. YES Prep earned an overall “B” district rating, with 95 percent of our campuses receiving an A, B, or C rating, and the majority achieving an A or B.
These results reflect the dedication and hard work of our students, the relentless pursuit of excellence by our teachers and staff, and the steadfast partnership of our families. Together, we are building a culture of academic achievement that prepares every student for success.
As CEO Mark DiBella shared with families, this accomplishment comes as he begins his 25th year at YES Prep, a milestone that makes this achievement even more meaningful. “I’ve never been more excited about what we will accomplish together,” DiBella said.
Our community’s commitment to growth, resilience, and high academic standards continues to drive our success. With this momentum, we are looking ahead to even greater progress in the years to come.
Thank you to every student, staff member, and family who made this achievement possible. The future has never looked brighter.
Projects
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Team
Mark DiBella
Chief Executive Officer
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Carmen Darville
Chief Operations Officer
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Tony Munoz
Chief Talent Officer
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Isy Gabriela Castillo
Chief External Officer
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Philip Wright
Chief Schools Officer
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Dana Foughty
Chief of Staff
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Talk to us
Have questions? Reach out to us directly.