Cheers, smiles and a ceremonial snip of the ribbon marked the beginning of a new chapter for YES Prep and families in the Alief community as YES Prep West Elementary celebrated its official ribbon cutting ceremony.

The celebration welcomed families, students, community partners, and local leaders into the newly opened campus, which will serve its inaugural class of students in pre-K through second grade. West Elementary will add one grade level each year until it serves students through fifth grade, creating a pathway for even more children in the community to begin their YES Prep journey at an early age.

From the moment families arrived, the campus was filled with excitement. Cheerleaders welcomed guests, while new students and their families had an opportunity to explore the building, step inside the brand-new classrooms and meet the teachers who will help shape their first year at West Elementary. Students also participated in fun classroom activities, offering them a preview of the joyful learning experiences ahead.

A vision for joyful learning and opportunity

During the ceremony, Founding Principal Dr. Caroline Thouin-Frederick (affectionately known as Dr. T) shared the vision behind West Elementary and YES Prep's continued commitment to providing students with an excellent education beginning in pre-K.

“When YES Prep made the decision to open elementary schools, we were grounded in the belief that all children deserve access to a college-ready education starting in pre-K,” Dr. Thouin-Frederick said.

She described West Elementary as a school built to proudly serve the diverse Alief community, where students are encouraged to explore with curiosity, act with independence, learn with joy and lead with kindness.

“At West Elementary, our vision is to proudly serve the diverse Alief community and to ensure that each of our many Marvels grows to be their best individual self through joyful learning and a safe and nurturing environment,” she said.

Dr. Thouin-Frederick also reminded families that West Elementary belongs to the community it serves.

“This school is part of you, and we welcome you to celebrate all of our successes and milestones along with us,” she said. “We hope you will see our school the way we see it: a place where students have fun, build transformative relationships and pursue excellence each and every day.”

Community leaders mark the milestone

Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard, who represents District J, joined the celebration and delivered remarks recognizing the importance of the new school to the surrounding community. He also presented West Elementary with a Certificate of Recognition in honor of the campus opening.

Birdie Kelley, representing the office of Texas State Senator Borris L. Miles, also offered remarks and presented a proclamation recognizing the milestone.

A representative from the Texas Public Charter Schools Association joined the celebration as well, alongside YES Prep leaders including CEO Mark DiBella and Chief External Officer Isy Castillo.

Their presence underscored the significance of West Elementary's opening for the broader community and the families who will call the campus home.

The first chapter of a new school community

Some of the most energetic guests of the evening were the founding families whose children will forever hold a special place in West Elementary's story. For them, the ribbon cutting was an opportunity to see where their children will learn, grow, build friendships and begin laying the foundation for their futures.

And for the students, the celebration offered something even more exciting: their first glimpse of the experiences waiting for them inside. As children explored classrooms, met their teachers and took part in activities throughout the evening, the new campus began to feel less like a building waiting to open and more like a school community already coming to life.

The ribbon has been cut, the classrooms are ready and the first West Elementary Marvels are preparing to make their mark. For YES Prep West Elementary, this celebration was only the beginning.