School Culture

Female senior students at YES Prep proudly holding the banners of colleges they will begin attending in the fall.

At YES Prep, it is our philosophy that students can achieve academic success when they feel safe to learn, physically and emotionally cared for, excited and celebrated and invested in the purpose of their future. Read on to learn more about how YES Prep is always working to cultivate a safe, inclusive, joyful, and college-going culture at all YES Prep campuses.

School Culture at YES Prep

After-School Programming

Secondary

ASPIRE Secondary

The YES Prep ASPIRE (After-School Program for Identity, Relationships and Enrichment) exists for students to participate in supplemental academic and enrichment activities that help students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, and offers families of participating students opportunities for meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development. Through ASPIRE, we've also offered opportunities for parents and guardians, including ESL, parenting classes, workshops through Crime Stoppers of Houston, cooking classes with Houston Food Bank, and campus cultural heritage celebrations.

ASPIRE Programming is currently offered at all YES Prep Secondary campuses, non-partnerships: Southeast, Hobby, Northline, Northwest, North Central, Brays Oaks, East End, Gulfton, North Forest, Northside, Fifth Ward, Southside, Southwest, West, and White Oak.

For more information about ASPIRE and available programming options, click here.

Elementary

ASPIRE Elementary

The YES Prep ASPIRE (After-School Program for Identity, Relationships and Enrichment) exists for students to participate in supplemental academic and enrichment activities that help students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, and offers families of participating students opportunities for meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development. We will provide a safe, impactful, and engaging environment for students and families afterschool.

ASPIRE Programming is currently offered during the 2024-2025 school year at nine YES Prep Elementary campuses: Southeast, North Central, North Forest, Southside, Airline, East End, Hobby, Southwest Oaks, and North Rankin.

Athletics

Athletics is an important part of campus life and uses a values-based approach in competitive team sports to support college readiness and character development.

All Secondary Campuses offer sports with core programming being Cross Country, Volleyball. Basketball and Soccer. The campus can offer additional sports as well, including Flag Football, Cheer, and Track. Secondary students compete in the Honor Charter Athletics League (HCAL).

Currently, YES Prep Southeast Elementary and YES Prep North Central Elementary each offer Flag Football, Volleyball and Soccer. YES Prep plans to expand its elementary athletics programming in the 2023-2024 school year for students at North Forest Elementary and Southside Elementary, and is planning to offer Basketball as well. To learn more about Athletics at YES Prep click here.

Behavior Support Services

elementary student smiling and giving peace sign

Behavior Support Services

Behavioral Support Programs at YES Prep exists to support students at all grade levels Pre-K thru 12th at both our elementary and secondary campuses who are experiencing a variety of behavioral challenges that impact their success both inside and outside of the classroom. Multidisciplinary teams of Campus Leaders, Student Support Counselors, Behavior Support Specialists, Teachers and SpEd Team members come together to observe, assess, connect with student and families, discuss, determine and create behavior support plans for students in need.

These Individual Support Plans (ISPs) will be crafted to meet the specific needs of the student and goals will center around reducing maladaptive behaviors and building student's skills in order to learn healthy replacement behaviors that can assist them in meeting needs and being successful on campus. Students participating in this program will be assigned a case manager who will coordinate campus supports, progress monitor and maintain contact with families to keep them up to date on student progress.

If you have behavioral concerns for your student please reach out to your campus Student Support Counselor or Behavior Support Specialist.

HYPEd Student Culture

YES Prep Elementary staff welcoming students with pompoms and treats

HYPE

HYPE (Highlight YES Prep Excellence) was designed to ensure consistency in all students receiving equitable and joyful experiences while at YES Prep. To help promote the YES Prep experience, all secondary campuses at a minimum will offer:

Extra and Co-Curricular Activities:
- Core Athletic Programming: volleyball, basketball, soccer, cross country
- Clubs and organizations: National Honors Society, Student Council, 4 Summit Affinity Student Groups
- ASPIRE afterschool programming
Celebrations and Traditions:
- Quarterly pep rallies and student recognitions
- Cultural celebrations and events
- Additional campus traditions, including but not limited to: Bus waving, Senior Signing Day, Field Day, Elementary Senior Walk, 8th grade PROMotion, Prom, college bell ringing, and so much more!
Family and Community Engagement
- One event per semester including a beginning of year Open House
- Monthly family association meetings
- Weekly family notes

All elementary campuses will at minimum offer:

Extra and Co-Curricular Activities:
- Elementary ASPIRE afterschool programming
Celebrations and Traditions:
- Quarterly student recognitions
- Semester student recognitions
- Monthly celebrations
Family Engagement
- 2-Way Communication Opportunities
- Campus Community events including but not limited to: family association meetings, academic events, cultural events

Mental Health and Student and Family Support Services

A group of happy YES Prep secondary students chatting at their lunch table.

Mental Health and Student and Family Support Services

Students require a range of supports to ensure their academic success. Whether counseling through our team of licensed counselors and social workers, programming with one of our many valued community partners, or mental health therapy conducted by Legacy Community Health, YES Prep provides in-school services for students on all grade levels. Families also have an opportunity to participate in educational trainings and counseling services to foster positive development for their child in an out of school. Each campus has access to nearly forty community agencies whose missions align with ours through teachings on topics of health education, peer relationship skills, quality decision making, drug prevention, community building, and positive identity development. Should your child or family require support, feel free to complete a Student Assistance Form (SAF), which will be reviewed and responded to within three days by a member of the campus culture team.

For more information on Student and Family Support Services, click here.

Inclusive Discipline and Restorative Practices

Inclusive Discipline Mission and Vision

At YES Prep, we commit to treating all students equitably and building discipline structures that ensure all our students feel heard and valued daily. We also commit to transformative SEL (Social and Emotional Learning), where all community members build strong relationships founded on strong self-concepts and an appreciation of similarities and differences. We continue exploring concepts of race and identity, critically examining root causes of inequity, and developing collaborative solutions to school and community problems. A key focus of inclusive discipline is incorporating Restorative Discipline Practices (RDP) as responses to student misconduct. These RDPs include but are not limited to, reflections, circles, and targeted lessons from Suite360 which provide opportunities for students to reflect on and repair the harm they have done to themselves or the school community. As a result, they are held accountable for their actions while reconnecting them to their school.

If you would like to learn about YES Prep's Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, Thrive, Please click here.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

A group of smiling YES Prep secondary students sitting together on a staircase.

YES Prep Social-Emotional Learning Commitment

At YES Prep, we commit to transformative social and emotional learning where all community members build strong relationships founded on strong self-concept, an appreciation of similarities and differences, explore concepts of race and identity, learn to critically examine root causes of inequity, and develop collaborative solutions to school and community problems. We do this to ensure all community members can find success and lead choice-filled lives. Learn more about Social-Emotional Learning at YES Prep here.