NEIGHBORHOOD
IMPACT REPORT
YES PREP NORTH CENTRAL
Nationwide, only half of all students from under-resourced communities graduate from high school and only 10% earn a college degree. In a country where a child’s zip code often determines their life trajectory, YES Prep Public Schools proves that different outcomes are possible when students are given access to high-quality educational opportunities.
YES Prep — one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing tuition-free public charter school systems in the U.S. — is educating the next generation of local leaders who will uplift and enrich this North Houston community.
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPALS
North Central Elementary lays the foundation for a college-focused culture that aligns with the secondary schools to ensure students are on or above grade level and empowered to lead.
The North Central Elementary community embodies the SPARKS values—Self-Aware, Passionate, Achievers, Relentlessness, Kindness, and Safe—which guide students and staff alike. At North Central Elementary, relationships are the foundation of success, and the staff’s commitment to each child’s holistic growth shines in every classroom.
With a dedicated leadership team and a focus on collaborative learning, North Central Elementary creates an environment where students feel empowered to grow, set personal goals, and celebrate their achievements.
North Central Secondary is a legacy and community-built school that has earned a reputation of excellence over the last 20 years. Our small campus fosters a safe, familyoriented environment where students and staff know each other personally.
We hold high expectations for our students with a strong belief that they can rise to meet challenges. Our students—respectful, studious, and driven—embody our values of Team, Hard Work, Respect, and Leadership. With many staff members having over 15 years of service, our dedicated teachers strive to raise the bar and lead not just our campus but the entire district.
At North Central, we create a unique and welcoming atmosphere that makes our school a truly special place to learn and grow. Once a Trailblazer, always a Trailblazer!
“
YES Prep is one of a kind in the ways they reach every family in the communities they serve. From the day the campuses break ground to graduation, the impact on our students and families is phenomenal! I am grateful that this system is spreading throughout District 4! ”
Staci Childs
Texas State Board of Education Member, District 4
Michelle LaFlure Elementary Founding Principal
Lilian Macias Secondary Principal
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
YES PREP NORTH CENTRAL
NORTH CENTRAL SECONDARY AT A GLANCE
96% HISPANIC OR LATINO
90% ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH
TOP 5% u.s. news & world report ranked platinum recognition from college board’s ap honor roll
46% ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
83% FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS
88 2022 TEA RATING
0.5% DROPOUT RATE
1015 AVERAGE SAT SCORE
98% GRADUATION RATE
NORTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY AT A GLANCE
91% HISPANIC OR LATINO
55% ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
91% ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH
TOP IN STATE
u.s. news & world report ranked
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
YES PREP NORTH CENTRAL
NEIGHBORHOOD AT A GLANCE
In the North Central community, residents face economic challenges, lower educational attainment, and limited access to broadband services.
80% BLACK & HISPANIC
54% EARN LESS THAN $50,000 ANNUALLY 1 IN 5 EARNS UNDER $25K ANNUALLY
48% WITHOUT A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 9%
5.6% HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 38%
42% SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 23%
42% LACK BROADBAND ACCESS
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 7%
44% PRE-K ENROLLMENT
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 47%
79% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 87%
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE
Compared to YES Prep North Central Secondary, local district high schools face notable performance gaps. These schools have graduation rates 14-16% lower, dropout rates 8-11 times higher, SAT scores 130-190 points lower, and college-readiness rates ranging from 17% to less than 50% of North Central’s.
This comparison highlights the exceptional outcomes achieved by North Central students, setting a high standard for academic success and college-readiness in the community.
NEIGHBORING SCHOOLS:
ALDINE ISD
Raymond Elementary
Accountability rating: C
Davis High
Accountability rating: C
• Graduation rate: 84.4%
• Dropout Rate: 5.4%
• Avg SAT Score: 836
• College-Ready Grads (reading + math): 21.5%
MacArthur Senior High Accountability rating: C
• Graduation rate: 82.8%
• Dropout Rate: 5.7%
• Avg SAT Score: 885
• College-Ready Grads (reading + math): 20.1%
HOUSTON ISD
Scarborough Elementary
Accountability rating: B
Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center
Accountability rating: C
• Graduation rate: 83.7%
• Dropout Rate: 4.3%
• Avg SAT Score: 825
• College-Ready Grads (reading + math): 7.2%
CHARTER NETWORK
Two Dimensions
Preparatory Academy (PK-5)
Accountability rating: C
KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys (5-8)
Accountability rating: C
Harmony School of Technology (6-8)
Accountability rating: A
George I. Sanchez Charter (6-12)
Accountability rating: C
WHY HERE?
For more than 25 years, YES Prep has served historically underserved neighborhoods. Recognizing the need for free, high-quality, college-ready education in this economically disadvantaged area, we opened North Central Secondary in 2003.
After 17 years of success as the top-performing secondary school in the community, families sought the same rigor for younger children. In response, North Central Elementary opened in 2020 as one of YES Prep’s first elementary campuses, proving that college-readiness begins in pre-K.
Both schools continue to provide excellent education and brighter futures to students in the Northside area of Houston.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES
YES Prep North Central Secondary achieved a 84% Approaches+ STAAR exams across all subjects in 2024, with strong performances in STAAR US History (85% Meets+) and Algebra I (81% Meets+), Biology (75% Meets+) and significant improvements in STAAR English II (10% increase in Meets, 3% increase in Masters).
1% STAAR “MASTERS”
2% STAAR “MEETS”
North Central Secondary students also had a passing rate of 43% in Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 2024, with outstanding success in AP Spanish Language (91%) and AP US History (83%).
ACADEMIC BENEFITS OF EARLY ENROLLMENT AT YES PREP
For 20 years, YES Prep served students only in grades 6-12. Historically, incoming sixth graders entered YES Prep secondary schools with reading and math skills far behind grade level. State officials report only 1 in 3 third-graders in Texas can read and do math on grade level, which leaves many to struggle throughout their school experience.
The longer a student is with YES Prep, the greater the impact—evidenced by the high percentage of seniors who are college-ready. YES Prep students are better equipped to access the jobs of today and tomorrow, making a positive impact in Houston.
PERCENT OF STUDENTS COLLEGE-READY BY YEARS AT YES
By introducing students to YES Prep’s rigorous curriculum and personalized attention as early as pre-K, communities are seeing a significant increase in the number of students achieving grade-level proficiency by fifth grade. YES Prep third graders consistently outperform incoming sixth graders from non-YES Prep schools exceeding state and regional averages on every exam.
YES PREP NORTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY ACADEMIC OUTCOMES
Recent North Central Elementary STAAR results reflect overall academic progress, with areas like Reading showing notable strengths. In 2024, 73% of students achieved Approaches+ on the STAAR exams across all subjects. The results for fifth grade students show solid performances, with 54% reaching the Meets+ level in Reading and 47% reaching Meets+ in Math.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
YES PREP NORTH CENTRAL
HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF
YES Prep provides 165 jobs in the community
80 ELEMENTARY EMPLOYEES
85 SECONDARY EMPLOYEES
82% TEACHER RETENTION RATE
6 KINDER EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD RECIPIENTS
6 AVERAGE YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE
NORTH CENTRAL ALUMNI
1.5K GRADUATES
320 ALUMNI ENROLLED IN COLLEGE
747 AVERAGE COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
14 TEACHER INCENTIVE ALLOTMENT (TIA) RECIPIENTS
MEALS SERVED
300K
BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES & SNACKS SERVED AT ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
RECENT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS
YES Prep’s $20 million North Central Elementary School, opened in August 2020, has capacity to serve 1,000 students and enrich both academic and personal growth.
The state-of-the-art campus includes specialized spaces like a science lab, art and music rooms, special education classrooms, and grade-specific playgrounds.
Safety and innovation are prioritized with enhanced security measures and technology-equipped classrooms, ensuring a secure and inspiring environment for students and staff.
NORTH CENTRAL STORIES
Elizabeth Zarate
Alumna & Staff Member, North Central Secondary
Elizabeth Zarate arrived in the U.S. from Mexico at age 8, and her parents’ pursuit of a better future led her to YES Prep North Central Secondary. As an IMPACT Scholar and a member of North Central’s first graduating class in 2010, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Jefferson College.
Now, as a parent at North Central Elementary and a staff member at North Central Secondary, Elizabeth continues the legacy of opportunity, ensuring her son and the next generation benefit from the same high-quality education that shaped her future.
YES Prep’s legacy of impact is reflected in alumni who return to serve their communities.
Jair Sanchez
Alumnus, Class of 2023
Jair Sanchez, a first-generation college student, is attending Yale University on a full-ride scholarship. Originally from Mexico, Jair graduated with a 4.5 GPA and 10 AP classes. Beyond academics, YES Prep fostered his cultural pride and deep connection to the Latino community.
YES Prep empowers students to achieve their dreams while staying connected to their roots.
Mayra Valle
Alumna, Founding Class of 2010
Mayra Valle, the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a firstgeneration college graduate, is a member of YES Prep North Central Secondary’s founding class. With the foundation provided by YES Prep, she earned full scholarships to Connecticut College and Texas A&M University.
Now, with a decade-long career in college access, she empowers educators and students through her consulting business, creating pathways to higher education and reshaping leadership.
YES Prep builds leaders who inspire change and uplift their communities.
NORTH CENTRAL STUDENT LIFE
Extracurricular activities at North Central Elementary and Secondary are designed to engage students and develop their academic, athletic, leadership, and creative skills while fostering a sense of community and collaboration. From intramural sports to STEM programs and creative arts, there’s something for every student to explore and thrive in beyond the classroom.
To learn more about events, activities, and the latest news, follow our schools on social media and visit their websites:
North Central Elementary 1900 Strawn Rd. Houston, Texas 77039
yesnorthcentrales
northcentrales.yesprep.org
North Central Secondary
13703 Aldine Westfield Rd. Houston, Texas 77039
yesprepnorthcentral yesprepncs
northcentral.yesprep.org
