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YES Prep Holds its First Annual Senior Summit

December 17, 2010 by Rhiannon Killian

Ask any high school senior what they are doing this time of year and a common response is “filling out my college applications.” For YES Prep’s Class of 2012 seniors, this is no different. They have spent the last few months polishing their resumes, revising their personal statement, requesting transcripts and letters of recommendation in order to round out their college applications. However, what sets apart YES Prep students and their counterparts from across America is that YES Prep students participate in a fall event – The Senior Summit.

former attorney general alberto gonzalesThe Fall Senior Summit is the gathering of 177 YES Prep seniors from the Southeast, North Central and Southwest campuses. The purpose of the summit is to allow for seniors to interact with each other, staff and community member to discuss the


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YES Prep hosts Deans of Admissions from the Nation’s Most Selective Colleges

September 21, 2010 by Donald Kamentz

At this time of year, fall in the admissions cycle world consists of hosting colleges who conduct high school visits for prospective students.   Last week at YES Prep was no different as our four high school campuses – Southeast, North Central, Southwest and East End – hosted over 20 colleges and universities on their campus.   In fact, by the end of this fall season, YES Prep Public Schools will host well over 250+ colleges and universities between individual high school visits and our district-wide college fair – a true testament to the widespread support YES Prep has nationally.

However, last Monday, YES Prep hosted a different type of visit – a roundtable discussion and visit by 4 of the most selective and prestigious colleges from the East – Swarthmore College (Philadelphia,


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YES Prep Southwest State of the Seniors Speeches

September 11, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

This week in YES Prep Southwest Senior English teacher Faith Hunter's classes the Seniors delivered their State of the Senior Class speeches. Below are additional snippets from these great orations!

"‘A sympathetic friend can be quite dear as a brother’, the great Homer once said. We began as friends and have now grown to be brothers. So I challenge you today. I challenge you to go forward and consciously make an effort to make all forty six of your brothers and sisters feel

like a brother or sister that has your support. Though we may fight like brothers and sisters at times, siblings never give up on each other." – Ruby Serrano

"This is our school…et’s own our campus. Ask not what your school can do for you—but ask what you can do for your school." – Jairus Coleman


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The 100 Percent Promise: US News & World Report

September 02, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

U.S. News & World Report's most popular issue, "Ranking Best Colleges," includes a two-page feature on YES Prep Public Schools and our college-bound culture: "The 100 Percent Promise." The magazine is on newsstands now, so be sure to pick up a copy to read more about our students, staff and mission to prepare 10,000 college ready students in Houston!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

YES Prep student at graduationExcerpts from The "100 Percent Promise"

"In the past 10 years, 100 percent of [YES Prep's] graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges. Marquez was not about to break that track record. 'I'm going to college,' says the freshman at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. 'A lot of my other friends can't say that.'

"The success rate would be remarkable for any public high school, but the


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YES Prep Southwest College Counselor Spends Summer in Africa

August 19, 2010 by Ayana Allen

yes prep southwest teacher and texas aggie doctoral student spends summer in africaFive years ago I began my PhD program in Urban Education at Texas A& M University. I breezed through my coursework,  but found myself struggling to write my dissertation as I often battled with the  typical symptoms of writer’s block,  coupled with my demanding, yet always rewarding, job as the Director of College Counseling at YES Prep Southwest.   My advisor and committee co-chair, Dr. Chance Lewis  frequently expressed his disappointment in my lack of focus. He knew that I had not yet tapped into my potential as a researcher and a scholar, and he often challenged me to push past my fears.  As much as I inspire and encourage my own students, it was very difficult for me to  inspire myself to write and graduate.

Out of nowhere, an amazing opportunity arose in January when my


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