YES Prep officially opened the doors to Brays Oaks Elementary and White Oak Elementary this school year, marking a major milestone in the district’s growth and the fifth anniversary of YES Prep elementary schools. With these new campuses, YES Prep now serves more than 21,000 students across 26 campuses systemwide.
Building community
Both ribbon cutting events brought together families, students, and community partners to celebrate the start of a new school journey. White Oak’s special guest , YES Prep alum and parent O’Shea Woodhouse shared how YES Prep opened doors for him as a first-generation college graduate and how proud he is to now send his child to kindergarten at a YES Prep campus. Anita Dixon, representing Thelma Cares Academy, also highlighted how the new school is an exciting addition for the local community.
At Brays Oaks, families joined in campus tours and activities, with State Board of Education Member Staci Childs (District 4) in attendance to help commemorate the opening. Both events reflected the excitement and pride of families eager to begin a new chapter with YES Prep.
Founding leaders share their vision
Strong leadership shapes the foundation of every new school community. Our founding leadership team at White Oak Elementary and Brays Oaks Elementary bring experience, passion, and a commitment to building schools where students and families thrive.
YES Prep White Oak Elementary
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Matthew McMahan, Principal
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Kenia Lopez, Director of Campus Operations
“Founding White Oak Elementary has been one of the greatest joys of my career. Serving the community and creating a high-quality educational space where students can grow and thrive is our ultimate goal. We look forward to growing and serving the community for years to come.” - Matthew McMahan
YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary
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Ashley Smith, Principal
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Sebastian Gonzalez, Director of Campus Operations
“At Brays Oaks Elementary, we’re grounded in love, united by purpose, and ready to kick off a school year like no other. We can’t wait to build something beautiful with our staff, students, and families — together! - Ashley Smith
Building strong foundations
Both Brays Oaks and White Oak welcomed kindergarten through second grade students this year and will add one grade level annually until they serve pre-K through fifth grade. The schools will emphasize reading, writing, STEM, bilingual learning, family engagement, and the SPARKS values, ensuring students build strong foundations that prepare them for success at the secondary level and beyond.
A continuing commitment
The launch of these schools builds on five years of YES Prep’s elementary growth, a commitment that began in 2020 to expand access to high-quality, tuition-free education for Houston families. Today, with over 21,000 students across 26 campuses, YES Prep continues to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values to succeed in college, career, and life. To learn more about YES Prep’s elementary programming, visit yesprep.org/elementary.
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