New to Blue

New to Blue is designed to provide relevant training, onboarding, and resources to new teacher hires at YES Prep Public Schools. The goal is to ensure you have the foundational skills and tools necessary for success as you lead teaching and learning within a YES Prep classrooms.

During this training you will learn about the Mindsets of YES Prep Teacher, Lesson Preparation Expectations and provided resources, and cultural norms of YP.  You will leave this training feeling ready to engage in Campus Inservice and prepare for the arrival of your YP students!

New To Blue FAQs:

Who attends New to Blue Academy?

• New to Blue - Experienced -- New teacher hires with more than 1 year of teacher of record experience.
• New Teacher Academy - Novice -- New teacher hires with less than 1 year of teacher of record experience hired before May 15 who have yet to gain formal admission into Teaching Excellence. New teacher hires with less than 1 year of teacher of record experience hired after May 15.

When and Where does New to Blue Academy take place?

• New to Blue - Experienced- Teachers with more than 1 year of Teacher of Record Experience: July 13-18, 2026 at YES Prep Southside Elementary, 5515 S Loop E Suite B, Houston, TX 77003 from 8:30-4:00 pm.
• New Teacher Academy - Novice -Teachers with less than 1 year of Teacher of Record Experience: July 13 -29, 2026 at YES Prep Southside Secondary, 5515 S Loop E Suite A, Houston, TX 77003 from 8:30-4:00 pm.

Will I get paid for Attending New to Blue Academy?

• Yes, all staff will receive $125 per day they attend training in the form of a stipend.  Stipends will be paid in early August and separate of your first paycheck.

What is required of me before starting summer programming?

• All new hires must complete the YES Prep Talent Onboarding process and be cleared to start working.  New hires will receive an official email.  All new teachers with less than 1 year of teach of record experience hired after May 18 will need to complete the Formal Admission process for Teaching Excellence ACP by September 10.  All new hires should plan to attend Summer Programming in July.  Please refer to dates below.

What if I anticipate having to miss summer programming?

• Attendance to Summer Programming is an onboarding requirement.  Absences from Summer Programming must be approved.  If you anticipate having to miss summer programming, you must notify your principal immediately.  Your Principal will then complete the appropriate process to seek approval and communicate final approval or denial to you in a timely manner.   Please begin to make appropriate arrangements to attend now.

How do I know which summer programming I should be attending?

Programming	Who	Hire Status
Teaching Excellence Summer Induction (July 8-29)	Any uncertified teacher enrolled in the Summer Cohort of Teaching Excellence ACP.	Hired on or before May 15 AND formally admitted into Teaching Excellence ACP by June 6.
New Teacher Academy (July 13-29)	Teachers new to YES Prep with >1 year of experience who are not enrolled in Teaching Excellence ACP. (external ACPs, not formally admitted, late hires)	Hired by June 12
New to Blue Academy (July 13-17)	Teachers new to YES Prep with 1+ years of experience.	Hired by June 12.
Curriculum Camp (July 14-15) (July 16 for K-2 self-contained, 3rd-5th bilingual Math & Science)	All new teacher hires. Status changes upon campus request.	Hired by June 12.