News & Events

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.

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.

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.

YES Prep’s Impact Bootcamp and hands-on college counseling services were recently featured in the Houston Chronicle as powerful models for improving student outcomes after high school. The article contrasts the challenges many Houston-area students face with the structured support YES Prep provides to ensure students not only apply to college but also persist through graduation. 

A Model of Preparation and Support 

The Chronicle spotlighted YES Prep Northline Secondary, where rising seniors participated in the district’s signature Impact Bootcamp, an intensive, multi-day college readiness event offering Common App support, scholarship prep, and personalized advising. The piece emphasized the work of college counselors who guide students and families year-round, helping many first-generation students navigate the complex admissions process. 

YES Prep’s commitment goes beyond applications. The article highlighted alumni success stories like Diego Turrubiartes, a Northline graduate and Dartmouth student, who credited the program for opening new doors. With over 90 percent of YES Prep’s 19,600 students considered economically disadvantaged, the district’s high-touch model demonstrates what’s possible with belief and investment. 

Data-Driven Results 

According to 2022–23 data cited in the article, nearly 40 percent of YES Prep students were considered college-ready based on SAT, ACT, or TSIA scores, more than double the rate of nearby Spring ISD. YES Prep was also close behind larger suburban districts with far fewer economically disadvantaged students. 

“We believe that our students and families deserve a high bar, and they will meet the high bar,” said Bobby Treviño, YES Prep’s Director of College Initiatives. 

The Power of YES

 From bootcamps and scholarship coaching to relentless belief in student potential, YES Prep continues to prove what’s possible when you raise expectations and provide the support to meet them. 

Read the Article  

The full Houston Chronicle article is available for subscribers. If you have a subscription, you can read the full piece here: A fraction of Houston high school students earn a living wage post graduation. YES Prep and Pasadena ISD may offer solutions 

For those who do not have access, this blog provides a summary of key takeaways.   

Learn More About College Initiatives at YES Prep 

Helping students get to and through college is part of who we are. From intensive bootcamps to personalized counseling, YES Prep’s College Initiatives team is opening doors to higher education for thousands of students across Houston. 

Explore how our team supports college readiness, access, and success at every step: yesprep.org/departments/college-initiatives

HOUSTON, TX – July 29, 2025 – YES Prep Public Schools is excited to announce the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary and YES Prep White Oak Elementary, both opening in August 2025. These campuses will mark YES Prep’s 25th and 26th schools in Houston, furthering the organization’s mission to provide high-quality, tuition-free public education to students in underserved neighborhoods. 

Key Event Details: 

YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony 
Date: July 31, 2025 
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
Location: 9060 Benning Dr., Houston, TX 77031 

YES Prep White Oak Elementary Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony 
Date: August 1, 2025 
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
Location: 6343 Deihl Rd., Houston, TX 77092 

What to Expect at the Ribbon-Cutting Events: 

• Remarks from YES Prep leadership, local community leaders, and elected officials 
• A tour of the newly built campuses 
• Opportunities for families and media to meet with the principal and staff 

These campuses will serve the Brays Oaks and White Oak communities and will be part of a new pre-K-to-12th grade feeder pattern for these areas. Students will have automatic admission into YES Prep Brays Oaks Secondary and YES Prep White Oak Secondary, ensuring a seamless, high-quality educational experience from elementary school through high school. 

“We believe the sooner students start getting a high-quality, college prep education. The stronger their future paths will be,” said Mark DiBella, CEO of YES Prep. “Our goal is to address critical education needs in these neighborhoods by giving students the tools they need to succeed at every stage of their academic journey. YES Prep has a proven track record of 100% college acceptance across all secondary campuses, and we are thrilled to continue expanding this impact.” 

As with all YES Prep campuses, Brays Oaks Elementary and White Oak Elementary are tuition-free with no admission requirements. These campuses will provide comprehensive support services, including: 

• Meals 
• Technology 
• Transportation 
• Special Education 
• Mental Health Services 
• Access to Healthcare 

YES Prep’s commitment to academic excellence, college readiness, and community support continues to attract families who seek a school system that not only prepares students for academic success but also provides the necessary resources to ensure every child’s well-being and future. 

“We are proud to expand YES Prep’s reach to serve even more students in Houston,” said Cynthia Rubio, YES Prep’s Managing Director of Student Recruitment and Enrollment. “We are focused on closing opportunity gaps and equipping our students with everything they need to excel in elementary school, secondary school, college, careers, and beyond.” 

About YES Prep Public Schools: 

YES Prep is a tuition-free public charter school system serving 20,000 students across 24 campuses in Houston. Known nationally for its college readiness and strong academic outcomes, YES Prep is committed to providing a high-quality education to every student, from elementary through high school. The network is expanding to 26 campuses in 2025, welcoming 21,500 students — the most in YES Prep’s 25-year history. YES Prep is dedicated to preparing students for success in college and beyond, helping to close opportunity gaps and build a brighter future for all Houston students.

A quarter-century of honoring seniors' futures continues with the Class of 2025 — and a historic first for YES Prep Northwest 

HOUSTON (May 1, 2025) – For 25 years, YES Prep Public Schools — one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing public charter school systems in the country — has honored its graduating seniors with one of the most powerful and joyful traditions in public education: Senior Signing Day. On Wednesday, May 21, the celebration returns to the University of Houston’s Fertitta Center as 1,557 seniors from 14 YES Prep campuses take the stage to proudly declare their next chapter — college, military service, careers or other unique paths. This year’s event is presented by ConocoPhillips. 

Senior Signing Day originated at YES Prep in 2001. What began as a bold idea — to celebrate every senior’s path after high school with the same excitement typically reserved for athletic signings — has since inspired similar events at schools across the country. Today, Senior Signing Day remains one of YES Prep’s proudest and most enduring traditions, a reflection of what’s possible when every student is supported and celebrated. 

This milestone year also marks the first-ever graduating class of YES Prep Northwest Secondary, a historic moment that underscores YES Prep’s continued growth and commitment to expanding opportunity across Houston. 

“Senior Signing Day is more than an event. It’s a movement that began 25 years ago with the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to follow their dreams after high school,” said YES Prep CEO Mark DiBella. “We are proud to continue this tradition and celebrate the Class of 2025 for all they’ve accomplished. They will soon join the other 14,000 YES Prep alum actively working to pursue lives of opportunity and make their communities stronger in the process.” 

The Class of 2025 has submitted 18,707 college applications and earned 12,672 acceptances, with many students receiving multiple offers and significant scholarships. Senior Signing Day is their well-earned moment in the spotlight, cheered on by families, educators and their entire YES Prep community. 

In keeping with tradition, students in grades 8–11 from each YES Prep secondary campus will be bussed to the Fertitta Center to watch and celebrate their seniors as they declare their next steps. They attend not only to cheer on their peers but also to be inspired about their own future goals and pathways. YES Prep Hobby Secondary, which will celebrate its founding senior class next year, will also attend as part of the afternoon audience. 

This year’s event includes two celebratory programs: 

• Morning Program (9:30 a.m.): White Oak, North Forest, Northline, Northside, Northwest, West, North Central 
• Afternoon Program (12:30 p.m.): Brays Oaks, Gulfton, Fifth Ward, Southeast, East End, Southside, Southwest (with Hobby Secondary in attendance) 

In addition to students and staff from YES Prep secondary campuses, the event will be attended by senior families and supporters. The celebration will also be livestreamed at yesprep.org/SSD for those who wish to tune in online. 

The day will also include performances by student groups and on-stage recognition of scholars from national programs like QuestBridge and Posse, military enlistees and local and national scholarship recipients. It is a powerful celebration of the Education We Deserve — the belief that every student, regardless of zip code or background, deserves access to the same excellent opportunities as their peers in the best schools nationwide. 

• What: YES Prep Senior Signing Day 2025 
• When: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 
• Where: University of Houston – Fertitta Center 
• Livestream: https://www.yesprep.org/SSD

HOUSTON— On Saturday, May 3, YES Prep Public Schools launched Rock the Block, its first-ever districtwide, community-centered student recruitment day, mobilizing more than 80 staff and volunteers across 16 Houston neighborhoods. The event resulted in 103 new student applications and countless powerful conversations with families, community members and future YES Prep students. 

The one-day initiative brought YES Prep teams directly into apartment communities, parks and neighborhood blocks surrounding eight campuses with open seats for the 2025–2026 school year, including: 

• YES Prep Hobby Elementary and Secondary 
• YES Prep White Oak Elementary 
• YES Prep Northwest Secondary 
• YES Prep Fifth Ward Secondary 
• YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary 
• YES Prep North Rankin Elementary 
• YES Prep West Elementary 

Volunteers knocked on doors, greeted families in shared community spaces and offered on-the-spot enrollment support while sharing YES Prep’s mission of ensuring every student — regardless of zip code or background — has access to a high-quality, college-ready education. 

“Rock the Block was more than a recruitment event — it was a movement,” Managing Director of Student Recruitment and Enrollment Cynthia Rubio said. “We showed up in neighborhoods that deserve to know their options. And the response from families was incredible. This is what the Education We Deserve looks like — in action.” 

With bilingual outreach and a deeply community-rooted approach, Rock the Block reaffirmed YES Prep’s belief in the power of partnership, connection and access. The event marked a major step forward in ensuring that families across Houston are informed, empowered and welcomed into the YES Prep family. 

For families still interested in enrolling, applications remain open at yesprep.org/enroll.

In a city where deals are made daily, the real jackpot was found at the Corinthian as more than 600 movers, makers, and high-stakes shakers gathered on March 6 for the 20th Annual Energy Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament benefiting YES Prep Public Schools.

This milestone soirée wasn’t only about poker faces—it was about heart, hustle, and hitting a $2.1 million fundraising full house in support of more than 19,000 students across 24 campuses.

Since 2006, this signature night has raised more than $24 million in total for YES Prep. With backing from 84-plus corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors—including major players like Vitol, Alta Resources, and AmSpec—the 2025 edition proved that when Houston’s energy titans rally for education, the results are cha-ching.

Before the first chips were shuffled, Vitol welcomed VIPs to its lavish lounge, The Vitol Vault, where gourmet bites like truffled new potatoes and mini beef Wellingtons set the scene for a night of indulgence. Then came the kicker: Vitol Foundation matched employee donations with a cool $200,000 boost.

As the tournament heated up, Bill Heuer of iHostPoker kept the crowd on edge before crowning Calvin Greer the night’s big winner. Meanwhile, the rest of the card sharks and benefactors dined on pecan-crusted sliders and mini tortas, and walked away with a taste of victory.

The celebration was steered by a dedicated committee, including Aaron Byrd, Marisa Chavarria, Brian Colona, Michol Ecklund, Austin Elam, Jerrid Gunderson, Jeffrey Milstein, Steve Mohtashami, and Bill Nelson, whose collective efforts kept the momentum strong.

Among those with a winning hand were Mickey Barrett, Steve Barth, Chip Berthelot, Andrew Black, Sam Caban, Bryan Chapman, Colt Clary, John Curtin, Lise Demant, Mark Gregg, Michael Guzzi, Rodney Hance, Jeff Hepper, Jake Herd, Jim Hoy, Thomas Hutchinson, Casey Khan, Curtis Knobbe, Jeff Knox, Kevin Lee, Mike Metz, Chris Popov, Joe Rubbo, Rich Sichenzio, Frank Stagg, and Carlos Wheelock.

YES Prep Public Schools — a Houston-area free public charter network — has reported record student enrollment during the 2024-2025 academic year, according to district data.

The Houston-based charter chain reported 19,473 students enrolled in its 25 schools this year, a 15% increase from the previous year. The enrollment jump comes after the network opened three elementary schools in August, which serve approximately 3,000 new students in pre-K through second grade.

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YES Prep is the second-largest charter district in the Houston area and the fourth-largest growing network in the area during the past decade. The district’s enrollment grew by nearly 9,200 students — or 109% — from the 2014-15 year to the 2023-2024 year, according to a Chronicle analysis of Texas Education Agency enrollment data.

Isy Castillo, YES Prep’s chief external officer, said the charter system is focusing on expanding by building enough elementary schools to establish feeder patterns for all of its 16 secondary schools. She said more families are seeking to enroll at YES Prep because they want their children to receive an education that prepares them for college.

“When we are in neighborhoods where historically, there are failing school systems or (a lack of) access to quality education, we bring that access into their neighborhoods, and families seek our support for that specific matter,” Castillo said. “They want their students to be led into preparedness for their future.”

The charter district’s growth comes as a growing number of Houston parents have opted to send their children to charter networks over other options, including traditional school districts. Over the past decade, Aristoi Academy, Odyssey Academy, Harmony Public Schools and Texas College Preparatory Academies have all doubled their enrollment.

According to the Chronicle’s analysis, enrollment at the average charter school campus in the Houston area grew by 25% from the 2014-15 to the 2023-24 year. By comparison, the 1,355 campuses within traditional public school districts in the same geographic area shrunk by about 3% on average during the same timeframe.  

YES Prep is one of the most popular destinations for elementary and middle school students transferring out of HISD, according to district data. The state’s largest school district reported that nearly 12,400 students zoned to HISD attended YES Prep campuses during the 2022-23 year, according to HISD’s Campus Demographic Report.

“The majority of our students (will be) first-generation graduates, and so families are committed to that promise of opportunity that they seek for their families,” Castillo said. “We find that for the majority of our student base, the family engagement is pretty high as parents are seeking for this extended support that they don't see in the traditional zoned school.”

YES Prep opened two campuses — Southwest Oaks Elementary in southwest Houston and Hobby Elementary in southeast Houston — in HISD boundaries during this academic year, with plans to add a grade level at the school annually until the schools serve students from pre-K through fifth grade. 

Both campuses are located near the edge of HISD’s district boundaries and less than 2 miles from at least one HISD elementary school that has faced yearslong enrollment declines, according to district enrollment data. YES Prep also opened North Rankin Elementary in northwest Houston within Spring ISD’s boundaries this year.

Ibia Faucher, the principal of Southwest Oaks Elementary, said she has noticed that students coming from other campuses are “really, really behind” and so the school has to focus on catching up students academically, although she did not speak to students from any specific local public school districts.

Families are “looking for something different for their kids,” Faucher said. “We've had a lot of families that told us, ‘My kids didn't learn anything last year, and they're learning so much right now,’ and so they're looking for something different that offers those programs for their kids, and then somewhere that feels like family.”

The charter network is projecting enrollment to grow by more than 2,000 students during the 2025-26 academic year as it plans to open two new elementary schools — Brays Oaks Elementary and White Oak Elementary — by August 2025.

“We have been committed to the neighborhoods that we're in for 25 years,” Castillo said. “We've been focused on secondary education, giving our students access to sixth to 12th grade, and recently, in the past four years, we have added elementary schools to all of our feeder patterns to become a full feeder pattern for pre-K all the way to 12th grade.”

Families can RSVP online for Yes Prep school tours, which will occur on Jan. 16, Jan. 29, Feb. 27, March 5 and March 21. Castillo said families can meet the principal, see lunch services and classroom instruction and observe the security systems during the tours. 

Parents can apply for their child to attend a YES Prep school through a random lottery system, which closes on Feb. 17. The network will notify selected K-12 families on Feb. 21 and pre-K families on April 4, according to the charter district’s website.

Families interested in enrolling students in pre-K through 12th grade at one of YES Prep Public Schools’ 26 campuses for the 2024-2025 school year can sign up for the new student lottery 24 hours a day beginning Friday, Oct. 13. All YES Prep schools are tuition-free and open to all children with no special admissions requirements. 

For 25 years, YES Prep — one of the fastest growing and highest performing public charter school systems in the U.S. — has served students in grades 6-12, making high-quality education accessible to neighborhoods that historically were left out. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having some of the best schools in the nation, YES Prep began opening elementary schools in 2020 to provide the same quality education to families with younger children.  

YES Prep continues to expand and plans to open a record three new elementary schools next school year: Hobby Elementary, Southwest Oaks Elementary and North Rankin Elementary. YES Prep plans to have 10 elementary schools to serve 10,000 Houston children in pre-K through fifth grade by 2025.  

“We are redefining what’s possible in public education, equipping students with the tools they need to excel in elementary school, secondary school, college, careers and beyond,” YES Prep CEO Mark DiBella said. “At YES Prep, we believe every student can graduate college-ready, and that starts in pre-K. Our passionate educators, who are the best in their field, provide personalized instruction and work with families to make that happen for each student.”  

To enroll at YES Prep, families sign up for a randomized, automated lottery, which is used when there are more students interested in attending a school than available classroom space. The lottery application is open 24/7 from Oct. 13 through Feb. 18. Submissions received after Feb. 18 will be automatically waitlisted and offered seats as they become available. Families will learn the lottery’s results on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. 

In addition to robust academic and extracurricular programs, all YES Prep campuses provide free meals, electronic devices, transportation, special education, English language learning, and access to healthcare, mental health and other student support services.  

YES Prep encourages parents and guardians to apply as soon as the lottery window opens to have the best chance to attend a YES Prep school. Families seeking additional information are invited to call 713-967-9000 or visit yesprep.org/sayYES.