About

Families interested in enrolling students in pre-K through 12th grade at one of YES Prep Public Schools’ 26 campuses for the 2024-2025 school year can sign up for the new student lottery 24 hours a day beginning Friday, Oct. 13. All YES Prep schools are tuition-free and open to all children with no special admissions requirements. 

For 25 years, YES Prep — one of the fastest growing and highest performing public charter school systems in the U.S. — has served students in grades 6-12, making high-quality education accessible to neighborhoods that historically were left out. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having some of the best schools in the nation, YES Prep began opening elementary schools in 2020 to provide the same quality education to families with younger children.  

YES Prep continues to expand and plans to open a record three new elementary schools next school year: Hobby Elementary, Southwest Oaks Elementary and North Rankin Elementary. YES Prep plans to have 10 elementary schools to serve 10,000 Houston children in pre-K through fifth grade by 2025.  

“We are redefining what’s possible in public education, equipping students with the tools they need to excel in elementary school, secondary school, college, careers and beyond,” YES Prep CEO Mark DiBella said. “At YES Prep, we believe every student can graduate college-ready, and that starts in pre-K. Our passionate educators, who are the best in their field, provide personalized instruction and work with families to make that happen for each student.”  

To enroll at YES Prep, families sign up for a randomized, automated lottery, which is used when there are more students interested in attending a school than available classroom space. The lottery application is open 24/7 from Oct. 13 through Feb. 18. Submissions received after Feb. 18 will be automatically waitlisted and offered seats as they become available. Families will learn the lottery’s results on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. 

In addition to robust academic and extracurricular programs, all YES Prep campuses provide free meals, electronic devices, transportation, special education, English language learning, and access to healthcare, mental health and other student support services.  

YES Prep encourages parents and guardians to apply as soon as the lottery window opens to have the best chance to attend a YES Prep school. Families seeking additional information are invited to call 713-967-9000 or visit yesprep.org/sayYES.

In line with its tradition of celebrating and recognizing excellence, YES Prep Public Schools is proud to announce the unanimous appointment of Eric Calderon as the new Board Chair. 

For 25 years, YES Prep Public Schools has been at the forefront of educational leadership, empowering students from all backgrounds in Houston to achieve college success and pursue lives of opportunity. The school's Board of Directors strives to build an enduring legacy of academic brilliance that currently benefits over 18,000 students. Selecting Mr. Calderon embodies this core mission. 

A Unanimous Decision in Leadership Transition

On September 15, 2023, during its quarterly board meeting, the YES Prep Board unanimously elected Mr. Calderon as the Board Chair, succeeding his previous role as the Vice-Chair. The synergistic relationship between the charter school's CEO and the Board Chair remains pivotal for accomplishing the overarching mission. 

CEO Mark DiBella expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, stating, “Eric has faithfully served YES Prep for many years as our Program Committee Chair and Vice Board Chair, and we are excited about YES Prep's future under Eric's leadership. I am personally excited about the opportunity to learn from and work with Eric as YES Prep's next Board Chair.”  

Outgoing Chair Melanie Trent has overseen significant milestones, including steering the institution during the pandemic, initiating YES Prep’s elementary school segment, and successfully concluding the 'Leading Houston Forward' campaign, raising an impressive $80 million to back the school's growth aspirations.  

Reflecting on her tenure and passing the torch, Ms. Trent remarked, "Serving as the Board Chair has been an immense honor. My commitment to YES Prep remains unwavering, and I am wholeheartedly optimistic about Eric leading the way." 

About Eric Calderon 

A Houston native, Eric Calderon has donned multiple hats – entrepreneur, engineer, and fervent advocate for education. He embarked on his journey with YES Prep's Board in 2017, and his tenure has been marked by various noteworthy stints, including chairing the Program Committee.  

Deeply influenced by his transformative educational experiences, Calderon's vision emphasizes robust engagement across students, staff, and the community.  

In reflection on his new appointment, Mr. Calderon shared, “YES Prep students deserve a chance to hear YES more often in life. I want them to know that when you put your mind to something, when you put your talents to something, great things will happen. It’s not the singular YES of YES Prep, but the YES of a lifetime of opportunity.”

Vision for the Future of YES Prep

Apart from Calderon's appointment, the YES Prep Board has also welcomed Michol Ecklund as Vice Chair, Ben Marshall as Treasurer, and Luly Castillo as Secretary. The school remains steadfast in its commitment to provide students and families with unparalleled educational opportunities. The entire Board is confident that under Eric Calderon's stewardship, YES Prep's illustrious legacy will continue to flourish.

YES Prep was awarded a $50,000 Wins for Kids grant on behalf of the Astros Foundation in partnership with Chevron for their work in developing education, social, health and community institutions that empower families to transform their lives, as well as being a key part of preparing Houston-area youth for futures in the sciences.