Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. 

You want a place where your child will be challenged academically, supported when they need help and encouraged to discover what they are capable of achieving. You want strong teachers, meaningful opportunities, and a school community that will help prepare your child for the future. 

For Houston families looking ahead to the 2027–28 school year, that opportunity can begin with one simple step: Apply to YES Prep beginning October 1. 

YES Prep is a tuition-free public charter school system serving more than 21,000 students across 27 campuses in the Houston area. For more than 25 years, YES Prep has worked to expand access to a high-quality, college-preparatory education and prepare students to thrive in college, career and life. 

Here are a few reasons Houston families are saying YES. 

Strong academics and strong results 

You want to know that your child will receive an education that challenges them and helps them grow. YES Prep is coming off its strongest academic performance to date. 

In the 2026 Texas Education Agency Accountability Ratings, YES Prep earned an overall score of 89, a strong B, and every YES Prep secondary school earned an A rating. 

Those results reflect the work happening every day across YES Prep classrooms: students taking on challenging material, educators setting high expectations and school teams providing the support students need to succeed. 

Support that helps students succeed 

No two students learn in exactly the same way. That is why YES Prep combines high expectations with support designed to help students make progress and reach ambitious goals. 

Students have access to personalized academic support, special education services, and additional resources based on their individual needs. That support begins early and continues as students move through elementary, middle, and high school. 

The goal is to help students develop the knowledge, confidence, and independence they need to succeed throughout school and beyond. 

Opportunities begin early and grow with your child 

At YES Prep, learning extends beyond core academic subjects. Beginning in elementary school, students have opportunities to explore their interests, build confidence, and discover new talents through experiences that complement what they are learning in the classroom. A new activity can spark curiosity, help a child build friendships or create the exciting realization: “I’m good at this.” 

As students grow, their opportunities grow with them. Older students can participate in athletics, clubs, electives, and leadership experiences. High school students can also explore college and career pathways and experiences designed to help them begin making informed decisions about their future. 

From an elementary student discovering a new interest to a high school student exploring a future career, YES Prep gives students opportunities to learn more about themselves and imagine what is possible. 

Preparing students for college, career and life 

At YES Prep, preparing students for the future does not begin during senior year; it starts from the moment students enter the school community. Students build strong academic foundations early, develop greater independence as they grow, and eventually gain access to college and career preparation designed to help them understand the opportunities available after graduation. 

YES Prep students can explore pathways to college, careers and other postsecondary opportunities while receiving guidance and support along the way. That means you are choosing a school for the year ahead as well as a school system designed to help your child build toward a future filled with possibilities. 

One school system that can grow with your family 

For families with younger children, continuity can be an important part of choosing a school. YES Prep elementary students may receive automatic admission into YES Prep secondary schools, allowing many families to continue their child's educational journey within the same school system. 

That means a student can begin building relationships and developing strong academic habits in elementary school, then continue into a YES Prep secondary school that shares the same commitment to high expectations, student support and preparation for the future. 

For parents, that continuity can mean fewer transitions and the opportunity to build a long-term relationship with a school system that knows what their family values. 

A Houston school system focused on what’s possible 

YES Prep was built to serve Houston students and families. Today, more than 21,000 students learn across YES Prep campuses throughout the Houston area. But the numbers tell only part of the story.  

Behind every student is a family with hopes for what their child can become: a future college student, engineer, teacher, entrepreneur, artist, nurse or community leader. YES Prep's role is to help students see those possibilities and give them the preparation and support to pursue them. 

Applications open October 1 

If you are considering YES Prep for the 2027–28 school year, now is the time to begin exploring your options. Applications open October 1, 2026. 

The deadline to apply during the lottery application period is Friday, February 12, 2027, and a random lottery will be held on February 22, 2027, to determine which students will fill available seats at each YES Prep school. Families who apply after the February 12 deadline will be placed on a wait list and may be offered a seat if one becomes available. 

Before applications open, parents can also complete the YES Prep interest form to receive a reminder when it is time to apply. 

For Houston families looking for strong academics, personalized support, opportunities to grow and a school system focused on preparing students for college, career and life, YES Prep may be the place to discover what’s possible.