Yellowstone College Prep is a new community school dedicated to building community leaders. The first of its kind in Texas, this unique charter school model was approved by the Texas Education Agency in 2017. Our teachers and administrators are active members in our neighborhoods and are focused on the intellectual and emotional growth of your student.
We believe all students are born with purpose and destined for success. At Yellowstone College Prep we create a safe learning environment with high academic standards.
Growing to serve
Yellowstone College Prep shares a single campus with Yellowstone Academy in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward where we inspire, empower and invest in students to achieve their highest potential and fulfill their intended purpose.
We are dedicated to building leaders from 5th to 9th grade. Yellowstone College Prep will grow to serve 10th-12th grade students by adding a grade level each year .
Proven Best Practices
At Yellowstone College Prep, we build upon the proven best practices of effective community schools by connecting educators, families and community stakeholders for collective impact. Our program includes the following distinctions:
- A rigorous, college-prep curriculum enhanced by community classroom experiences for integrated hands-on learning and discovery.
- A robust volunteer model that brings together volunteers from the local community and across Houston to provide resources and opportunities that would otherwise not exist for our students.
- A high-impact parental engagement approach that positively contributes to student learning.
- A comprehensive set of student support services and extracurricular activities to ensure students are successful both in and out of the classroom.
Yellowstone College Prep will be a source of pride for the neighborhood and for the City of Houston. We will hold our faculty, students, and families to the highest standards of educational excellence to ensure that students who graduate from Yellowstone College Prep are prepared to be transformative leaders in our community.
Board of Directors
Lionel Jellins
Board Chair
Lionel Jellins retired from ExxonMobil Corporation in 2015 after 38 years of experience in Engineering, Procurement, Contracting, and IT. He continues to serve as an active volunteer in the Houston community. He currently serves as Vice Chairman for the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, which supports over 50,000 youth in the Greater Houston Area. He has led in other important roles, including being President of Crossroads Community Partnership for Youth (a United Way Agency) and being a member of the PTO for the University of Houston Charter School. He is also a graduate of Leadership Houston, Inc.
Arthur L. Bryan, II
Arthur Bryan, II is Associate General Counsel for UT-Battelle, LLC, the Management and Operating Contractor of Oak Ridge National Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Energy. Prior to joining UT-Battelle, Arthur spent eight and half years with Bechtel's Oil, Gas & Chemicals, Inc. and Infrastructure Global Business Units serving in in-house counsel and commercial roles aiding in the management of project development and execution of large-scale complex engineering, procurement and construction projects and advising executive and project management on contractual obligations, risk mitigation strategies and dispute resolutions.
Photo Credit: Jacqueline Hicks, Master Portrait Artist | Styling: The Brand You Pro Image Glam Squad
Janice Character
Janice Character is a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. Prior to this role, she retired from Exxon Mobil Corporation in 2015 after 35 years of experience in Engineering, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources. Janice brings extensive leadership and public service to her role with the school: past president of the Board of Directors of the Houston Area Women Center, Big Brothers & Big Sisters and Collaborative for Children, founding member of the Houston Women March steering committee, VP Marketing Children's Museum of Houston, Leadership Houston, Ensemble Theatre, and the Houston Area Urban League. Current volunteer leadership roles include Houston Women March Steering Committee, Collaborative for Children, The Links, Inc., and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
David Lumpkins
Mr. David Lumpkins is a Houston businessman; he co-founded PetroLogistics LP, and worked in the investment banking industry for 17 years. He co-founded Yellowstone Academy in 2001 with his wife Kristi Lumpkins and has been an active, committed board member for the school. Over the past 15 years, David has donated a considerable amount of time and resources to provide a quality education to Third Ward students and families.
John Peavy
We welcomed John Peavy to our Board on October 31.
Please check back for an updated biography soon.
Valerie Williams
In June 2016, Valerie Williams retired from Ernst & Young (EY). Previously she served as the Southwest Region Assurance Services Managing Partner. As such, she was responsible for managing the firm’s audit practice across nine states with more than 1,400 people in 14 offices. Valerie has 35 years of experience, including several leadership roles and a variety of client service roles in the energy, technology and telecommunications industries. Valerie received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Houston. She was named University of Houston Bauer College Outstanding Accounting Alumnus and is a member of the University of Houston’s accounting advisory board. Valerie is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of CPAs. Valerie grew up in Houston’s Third Ward and graduated from Yates High School. Valerie’s husband, T.R., is the founding pastor of New Faith Church, where he has served for 39 years.
Required Postings
To read more about our state ranking for 2018-19, please click here.
Financial Information
Wellness Policy
All stakeholders are able to participate in the development, review, update, and implementation of the Local School Wellness Policy. Please contact Damon Gunn, Director of Campus Services, for more details.
Phone: (713) 741-8000 ext. 1104
Email: dgunn@yellowstoneschools.org
Information Regarding Bacterial Meningitis
In the 86th Legislature, HB 3884 required the Texas Department of State Health Services to create procedures for school districts to provide information relating to bacterial meningitis to students and parents. Click here to view the information »
You're invited! Meet Yellowstone's principal and head of HR during this virtual meet and greet. Learn more about Yellowstone's mission, employment opportunities for the Fall, and how to apply!