Houston Area College Prep Schools | YES Prep Charter Schools

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What is College Initiatives?

College readiness is YES Prep’s North Star. We believe that by empowering students to be successful in college, we prepare students for any pathway.

Our College Initiatives programming is designed to support this vision by ensuring that ALL students have the knowledge, skills, and support they need to succeed in their chosen post-secondary option. Our College Initiatives program consists of three strands: college readiness, college & career access, and alumni support.

College Initiatives

College Initiatives by the Numbers

The Class of 2025 submitted over 18,700 college applications and received over 12,600 acceptances.
The Class of 2025 received over $90 million in Financial Aid and Scholarships.
650 graduates from the Class of 2025 earned college credit on AP exams.
100% of YES Prep Graduates receive at least one acceptance to a 4-year college or university.
1,700 8th-12th graders joined career exposure events.
715 Juniors visited 60 colleges in 10 states.

Where YES Prep Students Apply to College

Three Strands of College Initiatives

College Readiness

Academic Preparation

Students begin early (as soon as middle school) exploring post-secondary pathways and building a strong academic foundation.
By 8th grade, students create course plans that keep them on track for graduation and support a strong GPA.
In high school, they access rigorous coursework such as AP classes and receive targeted support for SAT & TSIA2

Personalized Advising & Support

Individualized guidance starts in middle school and continues through senior year.
Juniors and seniors enroll in College & Career Seminar courses that align advising to their unique goals.
Dedicated staff help students make informed decisions about college, career, and life after high school.

Family Engagement

Families participate through one-on-one advising sessions.
Attend Family Night programs designed to guide them through the process.
Receive tailored resources for navigating applications, financial aid, and other post-secondary planning.

College & Career Access

Exploration Through Experiences

Students gain hands-on exposure to colleges and career pathways.
Junior Spring Trip – a chance to visit colleges and envision future opportunities.
College & Career Pathways Fair – an event where students interact with colleges, work force programs, and military recruiters.
Campus and Career Visits – on-site experiences that bring real-world
career options to life.
Summer Programs – on- and on-site programs to supports students’ personal, academic, and career development

Strategic Partnerships

IMPACT College Partnerships
- Collaborations with highly selective colleges.
- Provide unique access to admissions, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities.
Ignite Career Partnerships
- Connections with career exploration programs and industry professionals.
- Encourage leadership growth and career readiness through real-world engagement.

Alumni Support

Transition & College Support

Guidance through the transition into college and the matriculation process.
End-to-end support, extending beyond high school graduation.
Access to scholarships and partnerships, including programs like Insight.

Career Exposure & Development

Opportunities for internships.
Career preparation through the CareerSpring partnership.
Focus on building professional skills and long-term success.

Alumni Network & Civic Engagement

Ongoing connections through the Alumni Association, offering mentorship and networking.
Initiatives that empower alumni to give back.
Leadership opportunities to make an impact within their communities.