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 free, 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 FOUNDING PRINCIPAL
There is so much power in serving families and community building. We believe the work we do in the classroom creates a ripple effect of impact, strengthening the entire community. Our students are empowered to excel academically and personally, and their families are engaged as partners in this journey.
As the founding principal of YES Prep North Rankin Elementary, I continue to carry out my vision of a high bar of academic excellence and strong community building in this North Houston community. Mediocrity is not an option; only excellence will do because my SPARKS, their families, and this community deserves it.
“ 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
98% BLACK & HISPANIC
32.5% ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE 86% ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH NORTH RANKIN ELEMENTARY AT A GLANCE
Stephanee Dorsey Founding Principal
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
YES PREP NORTH RANKIN ELEMENTARY
NEIGHBORHOOD AT A GLANCE
In the North Rankin community, residents face economic challenges, lower educational attainment, and limited access to broadband services.
84% BLACK & HISPANIC
55% EARN LESS THAN $75,000 ANNUALLY
50%+ DOES NOT HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE
23% WITHOUT A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 9%
17% HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 38%
64% SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 23%
57% LACK BROADBAND ACCESS
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 7%
0% PRE-K ENROLLMENT
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 47%
74% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 87%
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
WHY HERE?
For more than 25 years, YES Prep has served historically underserved neighborhoods, addressing the need for high-quality, college-ready education.
In this area, pre-K enrollment was at 0%, and elementary reading and math scores were far below the national average.
North Rankin Elementary, serving 300 students, marks our first expansion in five years, bringing our vision for transformative education and community impact to life.
NEIGHBORING SCHOOLS
ALDINE ISD
Greenspoint Elementary (1-5) Accountability rating: B
Conley Elementary Accountability rating: C
Dunn Elementary Accountability rating: C
Odom Elementary Accountability rating: B
SPRING ISD
Clark Intermediate (K-5) Accountability rating: C
Bammel Elementary Accountability rating: B
Hoyland Elementary Accountability rating: B
Meyer Elementary Accountability rating: B
CHARTER NETWORK
Arrow Academy –Harvest Preparatory Academy (K-6)
Accountability rating: B
Two Dimensions Preparatory Academy Accountability rating: C
Harmony School of Enrichment –Houston Accountability rating: B
IDEA Spears Academy (K-4) Accountability rating: N/R
IDEA Spears College Preparatory (6-7) Accountability rating: B
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT
REPORT YES PREP NORTH RANKIN ELEMENTARY
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.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT REPORT
YES PREP NORTH RANKIN ELEMENTARY
HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF
YES Prep is creating 119 jobs in the community
39 CURRENT EMPLOYEES
80 PROJECTED EMPLOYEES AT CAPACITY
ENROLLMENT
264 CURRENT PK-2 STUDENTS
GRADE LEVELS ADDED ANNUALLY, EVENTUALLY SERVING PK-5
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
5 AVERAGE YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE
SCHOOL MEALS
9K BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES & SNACKS
2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
350 THANKSGIVING TURKEY MEAL KITS PROVIDED
150 FAMILIES WERE PROVIDED FOOD, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, HEALTH SCREENINGS & MORE FOR HURRICANE BERYL
500
CHILDREN RECEIVED TOYS AT THE ACRES HOME RECREATION CENTER
HOSTED FALL FESTIVAL AND TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENTS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS
HOSTED PARENT NIGHTS FOCUSED ON MATH AND LITERACY, WHERE TEACHERS DEMONSTRATE HOW TO COMPLETE STUDENTS’ HOMEWORK AND EXPLAIN CLASS CONTENT
RECENT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS
YES Prep’s $20 million North Rankin Elementary School, opened in August 2024, has capacity to serve 700 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 RANKIN STORIES
The McWilliams
Family
Parent & kindergarten students
Jamie McWilliams, mother of twins in kindergarten at YES Prep North Rankin, praises the school’s family-like atmosphere and commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment. She values how staff engage parents through cultural activities, breakfast meetings, and fun events, making families feel heard and supported. Jamie encourages other parents to see the positive impact of North Rankin Elementary firsthand.
YES Prep is a family—a place where families and staff work together to spark the success of the children.
Daniel Fleming Jr. Second-Grade Teacher
Daniel Fleming Jr. is a secondgrade teacher recognized for his high-impact instructional strategies. His innovative approach to teaching has significantly enhanced student learning, making him a standout educator at YES Prep North Rankin.
YES Prep educators are transforming student learning and setting a high standard for excellence.
Tamara Frear
Executive Assistant
Tamara Frear partnered with her mother, a dean at San Jacinto College, to launch a scholarship program providing 50 families with free access to college, focusing on elementary education degrees. This initiative empowers families to shape the future of their community. Starting with YES Prep Teacher Assistants, the program now supports parents with scholarships, free computers, and opportunities to overcome barriers and build brighter futures.
Through YES Prep, the school and staff empower families to break barriers and shape the future of their community.
NORTH RANKIN STUDENT LIFE
North Rankin Elementary offers a safe, small, personalized learning environment where academic rigor is balanced with letting kids be kids. Students enjoy a mix of extracurricular activities during and after school, from Spirit Team to ASPIRE, the Mr. and Ms. North Rankin Elementary program, and soccer through a partnership with Revolution Soccer Complex.
To learn more about events, activities, and the latest news, follow our school on social media and visit their website:
North Rankin Elementary 12537 Kuykendahl Rd. Houston, TX 77090 yesnorthrankines
